PONTYPOOL won local bragging right as they returned to winning Championship ways by defeating hosts Newbridge 25-17 at the Welfare Ground, writes Terry Daley.

The home side began seeking a third successive win after seeing off both RGC1404 and Cardiff Metropolitan University while Pooler had won at Narberth before losing by 16 clear points at home by Swansea.

In the end, Pooler were worthy winners - although much credit must be paid to Newbridge, who trailed 25-3 with only some five minutes remaining.

Pooler team manager Shaun Rees was obviously delighted with the victory and remarked the return of several injured players had certainly helped his side's cause.

“We had some walking wounded come back into the side (Pooler had 14 players sidelined because of injury following that defeat to Swansea) and we naturally looked a better team for it.

“It was a good, all-round performance and I'd especially to like to pick out Rob Nash and number seven and Clayton Gullis at number 15 - they were outstanding.”

Newbridge head coach Neil Edwards acknowledged Pooler's win, but bemoaned the “15 chances” his side spurned: “Of course we are disappointed, but we remain upbeat - although and it would have been a lot more interesting had to taken the many opportunities we created.

“We got ourselves into good positions, but then took wrong decisions while I also believe the referee struggled a bit on occasions.

“We gifted them the first 20 points, but it was great to be involved in a Gwent derby, there aren't enough of them these days, it was a good spectacle and an excellent game of rugby,”

The visitors went ahead in the very first minute via a close-range penalty from outside half Tom Hancock and he soon doubled the advantage by slotting over a similar kick from around 30 metres out.

Pooler, though, suffered a blow when second-row forward Derryn Jones was sent to the sin-bin for an offence at a ruck - Newbridge reducing the arrears when full back Kieron Meek kicked over the resulting penalty goal.

It got worse for Pooler when Ben Madgwick was stretchered off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Sam Mills, but they shrugged off the disadvantage to stretch their lead.

Number eight Chris Williams marked his debut with a try after he drove over at a close-range Newbridge line-out and Hancock's conversion made the score 13-3 in favour of Pooler.

If Newbridge were to go on and gain a positive result, it was crucial they scored next - but it was Pooler who went even further ahead thanks to a touchdown from Mills following a fine break by flanker Nash.

Hancock added the extra two points to make the interval scores 20-3, although another flanker, Gareth Rusby-Davies was soon replaced by debutant Tom Bell after picking up a knock.

Shortly after the start of the second period, Newbridge prop Jack Williams was sitting in the sin-bin for an offence at a scrum and before too long, both sides had a player sent off.

Newbridge outside half Scott Williams and Pooler tight-head prop Garin Harris appeared to have exchanged punches with Kidwelly-based match referee Aled Evans having no hesitation in show the duo a red card.

A bout of rugby quickly broke out with Williams storming over for his second try of the afternoon before Newbridge struck back with some late points.

Meek was first over Pooler's line for a try which he converted to make the score 25-10 and after Josh Hurley had come on for Newbridge's Matthew Roberts, co-centre Rhys Humphries touched down to enable Meek to add the extras.

The outcome means Newbridge have dropped a couple of rungs to sixth of 12 with Pooler moving up three places to seventh, the former now travelling to face Tata Steel and the latter hosting Bargoed on Saturday.

* March 29 Championship fixtures: Beddau v Newcastle Emlyn; Bridgend Athletic v Glynneath; Cardiff Metropolitan University v Merthyr; Narberth v Swansea; Pontypool v Bargoed; RGC 1404 v Llanharan; Tata Steel v Newbridge.

* In Division One (East) of the SWALEC League, fifth-placed Brynmawr are the region's highest-positioned club following a 24-17 away success over Risca.

However the bottom three spots are all filled by local clubs after Blaenavon were defeated 27-7 at home by Bedlinog, Blackwood 32-8 at Nantyglo (who are 7th of 12) with Risca at the basement.