PONTYPOOL head coach Mike Hook was left to bemoan a familiar tale of woe after his side slipped to a midweek Championship loss to Cardiff Met.

Pooler were edged out 19-6 by the visiting students on Wednesday evening, a result that leaves them one from the bottom of the table with just a single win (against basement outfit Whitland) to their name.

Pooler led 3-0 at half-time courtesy of a penalty by full-back Clayton Gullis but the students hit back after the break.

They crossed for three tries, exploiting a yellow card shown to Pontypool tighthead Josh Faletau, to take the spoils and leave their hosts with nothing to show for their efforts.

“We were right in it for most of the game but it’s just getting into certain habits,” lamented Hook, who takes his side to Narberth a week on Saturday.

“We need to react better when things don’t go our way, at the moment we tend to go into our shell when we concede a try or a decision goes against us.

“Winning sides tend to be able to put those sorts of things behind them.

“But they are a great bunch of boys who are staying positive – I know we are not far away from going on a good run.

“The game plan is going well and the squad is buying into it. With a bit of belief I am sure things will turn around for us.”

Bargoed beat Glamorgan Wanderers 31-12 in Ely to go above Ebbw Vale into top spot, albeit after playing a game more. Narberth are fourth after a 30-15 home win against Beddau while Whitland stay bottom after a 58-0 drubbing at Tata Steel.