Former Wales U20 hooker Sam Scarfe’s 79th minute converted try secured the derby day bragging rights for Pooler and a welcome first win for Tom Hancock since his permanent appointment as head coach.
“We needed a win in the context of the season anyway, but the fact it was against Newport made it even more special. I thought defensively we were outstanding,” said Hancock.
“It was a good occasion and when you’re on the right side of these last-minute wins, sometimes it can help you build momentum and some confidence. The boys showed some real character to come from behind twice and then hold out to win it.”
For the Black & Ambers it meant back-to-back defeats having surrendered their unbeaten record against Llandovery nine days earlier.
“It’s obviously a tough one to take. We really weren’t pleased with our attacking sets today – there were forward passes, knock-ons and we failed to get past probably two phases,” said Morris.
“It’s very unlike us and we’ve got to go back to the drawing board and have a little look at what we’re doing pre-week. We have to be better with possession.
“I can’t fault the effort, we got ourselves back into the lead and then just go and give a silly penalty away and that allowed Pontypool back in the game”
In what was a tight first half at Pontypool Park, Kieran Meek slotted a penalty to put Pooler ahead, but Newport struck just before the breakthrough hooker Wade Langley. It was converted by Carwyn Penny to edge the visitors 7-3 ahead at the pause.
Moments before Langley’s try, Pontypool centre Joel Mahoney had been sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on.
Marcus Jones replied for the hosts on the hour, converted by Meek, to put Pooler in front before a second Newport try, scored by Josh Reed and converted by Will Reed, looked to have snatched it for the Black & Ambers – but Pooler had other ideas.
Meek added the extras to Scarfe’s try to spark scenes of jubilation. This was Pooler’s first victory over Newport since April 2012. The loss for Newport, in third, sees them slip nine points behind leaders Cardiff albeit with a game in hand.
Cardiff, meanwhile, remain two points clear of Ebbw Vale after their five-star showing to beat Aberavon 31-14.
Early tries from full-back Luke Davies and back rower Ashton Evans – on his 100th Aberavon appearance – had put the visitors 14-0 up with a little more than 10 minutes played. Both tries were converted by Ed Dunford.
However, it was all square by the break as Cardiff responded with lock Ethan Phillips powering his way over. Outside half Harri Wilde converted and then went over himself before also taking care of the extras.
Hooker Alun Rees’ try on 54 minutes then saw Cardiff take the lead, and they didn’t look back from there. Replacement Jason Harries secured their first bonus point in the 63rd minute with Wilde converting before the latter’s break brilliantly set up wing Dewi Cross to score and bag the maximum points on offer.
RGC made it three wins on the spin at Parc Eirias by defeating Carmarthen Quins 29-24. Lock Tal Taylor’s try along with a conversion and penalty from Billy McBryde, saw RGC 10-0 in front early on but the visitors hit back to lead 14-10 at the break.
The league’s top try scorer Lewis Morgan was at it again, the hooker crossing for his eighth score of the season following a catch-and-drive move from a lineout. Ifan Davies converted with the Quins outside half then going over himself and adding the extras as the west Walians took the lead.
But three second half tries from RGC earned them go on to earn a bonus-point victory. McBryde scored and converted before Sam Stoddart then also went over down the left with the try again converted. Another backline move then saw RGC over for their fourth try with Delwyn Jones getting it although, this time, McBryde’s conversion attempt bounced back off the uprights.
Quins did not leave empty handed with a third try, scored by Rhodri Davies, converted by Ifan Davies, and a penalty from the latter, ensuring they left with a losing bonus point.
Llandovery look to be back in the groove as they posted back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a 42-13 home win over Swansea. It was the Drovers’ 27th win in a row over Swansea and also marked a first win on their new 3G pitch and earned them a full set of six points.
Scarlets full-back Ellis Mee picked up the man of the match award for his sparkling performance which featured one of the home side’s six tries. Hooker Finn Thomas scored a brace, and the others came from Aaron Warren, Morgan Jones and Ilan Phillips.
Ioan Hughes converted all six tries, while Luca Giannini grabbed the Swansea try. It was converted by Josh Phillips who also sent over two penalties.
This means Swansea’s long wait for a competitive win over Llandovery – stretching back to 28 August 2010 – goes on.
