PONTYPOOL'S fight with Aberavon for the Welsh First Division title and a play-off for a place in the Premier flight is set to go right to the wire.

The Wizards went back to the top of the table last night with a 12-try 65-10 demolition at relegated Merthyr, jumping above Pooler on try count.

Pontypool had taken over at the top on Tuesday after beating Tondu. Aberavon now lead by three tries, with the sides level on points and both having two games left to play.

Pontypool are at home to Whitland on Saturday and Bonymaen next Tuesday and need to win both and score lots of tries to put the pressure on their rivals.

Aberavon complete their fixtures after Pontypool but both their remaining games are away at Tondu next Wednesday and Dunvant the following Saturday.