Rugby Union: Pontypool have Ring of quality

Pontypool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Neath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

A WEEK ago there was talk of Pontypool dropping down to the Second Division of the Heineken League. After this victory all thoughts are now centred around a surge up next season's First Division table.

With a massive mandate from the members to re-draft the club's constitution, First Division status secured and Mark Ring in continued harness with Chris Bridges at half- back, Pontypool have what it takes to progress. Last weekend's victory over Newbridge ensured their survival in the top flight and a second win in three days at the Pontypool Park mud bath is bound to stimulate some positive forward planning.

For Neath, who still look well set to finish fourth in the table and have a SWALEC Cup semi-final to look forward to, it was another case of travelling badly. You have to go back to 31 October, six games ago, for their last victory away from home, against bottom of the table Maesteg.

They hardly put themselves out in this game, although it must have been as difficult for the players to get motivated as it was for the sparse crowd to enthuse about a game of aerial ping- pong.

So bad were the conditions that every scrap of possession was more or less immediately referred to the boot. In that department the home side were far better served by their international half-backs, Bridges and Ring. It was Ring's boot that notched his side's three penalties, one in the first and two in the second half, the latter of which came a minute from time and extended Pontypool's lead to 9-0. Moments later Neath broke downfield through their prop John Davies and the flanker Lloyd Issac barged his way over for the game's only try.

Paul Thorburn added the tricky conversion and, but for Ring's third penalty, Neath would have snatched a victory they hardly deserved.

Scorers: Pontypool: Penalties Ring 3. Neath: Try Issac; Conversion Thorburn.

Pontypool: A Carr; M Taylor, G Lintern, L Jones, B Taylor; M Ring, C Bridges; M Crowley, T Rogers, L Mustoe, N Jones, R Goodey (capt), M Spiller, G Taylor, V Davies.

Neath: P Thorburn; A Donovan, J Bird, H Woodland, J Reynolds; M McCarthy (M Singer, 25), R Jones; L Gerrard, A Thomas, J Davies, Glyn Llewellyn, Gareth Llewellyn (capt), L Issac, S Williams, I Boobyer (M Whitson, 50).

Referee: G Simmonds (Cardiff).