PONTYPOOL, still very much in the chase for the First Division title, travelled to bottom club Merthyr in confident mood expecting to collect all three points and boost their try count.

And when Merthyr players at a lunchtime meeting decided to go on strike then the chances of a huge win were even greater.

Merthyr team manager Alwyn Jenkins and coach Steve Flynn quit the struggling Ironmen on Thursday night and four players were also axed. This led to the walk-out by all but two of the first team regulars.

The Merthyr second team fixture at Ferndale was immediately called off and all but two of the Merthyr second 15 took the field against the mighty Pooler.

In truth Pontypool looked somewhat embarrassed as they treated the game just like a training session.

Merthyr officials were staying tight-lipped about the whole affair, although one did say: "It is a sad situation. The professional era has something to do with all this."

By half time Pontypool led 33-0 and the second period was more of the same with just one-way traffic as Pontypool's pace tore the Merthyr defence to shreds. The biggest cheer of the afternoon, however, came when the Ironmen scored their only try through number eight Jamie Adams who dived over after a quickly-taken tapped penalty.

Pontypool notched up 14 tries in all. There were three for fullback David Smith and two apiece for replacement centre Ben Jeffries, right wing Lenny Woodard and the experienced Byron Hayward.

Captain and flanker Arthur Howarth, lock Kuli Faletau, left wing Stephen John and Sam Waldron weighed in with one try each and the 14th was a penalty try. Stuart Lawrence at fly half put over six conversions and Hayward three.

Although Pooler won with ease Merthyr's second 15 won the plaudits for their guts and effort and earned a standing ovation as they left the field.

Pooler team manager Tony Clarke said: "Fair play to them. They could have cancelled the game and added to our fixture list. In the end, though, it was a bit of a mis-match to say the least."

Although this big win means that Pooler are still on the heels of First Division leaders Aberavon one could not help but think that Welsh rugby was again the loser.

Pontypool: D Smith, L Woolard, J Hawker, B Hayward, S John, S Lawrence, N Lloyd, G Gunter, C Thomas., N Tay, G Taylor, K Faletau, S Waldron, A Howarth, M Tu'puluto.

Scorers

Pontypool: Tries - D Smith (3), B Jeffries (2), L Wood (2), B Hayward (2), A Howarth, K Faletau, S John, S Waldron, penalty try; Conversions - S Lawrence (6), B Hayward (3).

Merthyr: Try - J Adams.