GETTING that all important victory after two glorious failures is the focus for Pontypool this weekend as they entertain in-form Llanelli.

Pooler pushed high flying Cross Keys all the way at home on Saturday before having to settle for just a losing bonus point after a 27-22 defeat.

It was the same story earlier last week at Pontypool Park when they came within a whisker of doing the double over table toppers Llandovery only to fall short by two points.

Tomorrow sees Pontypool play another league game with the benefit of home advantage and with plenty to prove, not only to their fans, but to themselves.

But life in the Principality can be uncompromising and Llanelli are a side purring along nicely.

They are unbeaten in five league games with the Pooler clash acting as a dress rehearsal for the West Walians’ quarter-final British & Irish Cup showdown with Cross Keys at Pandy Park a week tomorrow.

And with both Pooler and Llanelli making no secret of their taste for an exciting brand of open attacking rugby, this weekend could serve up another gourmet affair.

Last season’s encounters were a joy to watch as they racked up 178 points in their two league games.

The home side triumphed 46-40 in a thriller at Pontypool Park before that champagne affair was repeated in another intoxicating and almost carbon copy affair which Llanelli won 47-45 at Parc y Scarlets.

Pontypool have to face Anthony Buchanan’s men tomorrow without their captain Geraint Morris.

The back rower was due to be rested this weekend but would have missed out in any event because he picked up a shoulder injury in the defeat to Keys.

But Pooler welcome back a big player in Rhys Bowen, the second row ready for action after suffering a ear injury in the 11-9 loss to Llandovery.

With scrum-half Andrew Quick still suspended after being sent off in November’s victory at Tonmawr, Pooler get a helping hand from the Newport Gwent Dragons this week.

The region’s seasoned number nine Joe Bedford comes in to replace Calwyn Morgan who started last week’s game.

Pontypool assistant coach Wayne Jones admitted that this weekend’s clash is one he is relishing.

“I’m really looking forward to this one and we need to make sure we get the win after losing our last two games,” he said.

“I was so frustrated after losing to Keys last week because we conspired to lose the game.

“We worked hard and fancied our chances. We put a lot of emphasis on the scrum and its the best we’ve done there over our last three games.”

He added: “Llanelli will present a different type of challenge and will play rugby on any surface.

“They will look for quick ruck ball – we have to slow them down and make them less potent.”

Pontypool: G O’Driscoll, G Williams, D Robinson, A Davies, R Owen, T Hancock, J Bedford, D Barlow, R Prosser, N Blake, R Bowen, D Critchley, L Dyckhoff, C Attwell, J Thomas. Replacements: R Budina, D Roberts, C Morgan, E Dee, R Jones, J Jeune, J Faletau.