The Ravens had led 20-10 at the interval thanks to tries from wing Ben Evans, on debut, Evan Yardley and Chris Williams. Ben Burnell kicked a penalty. Wing Walker Price was Pooler’s try scorer in the first half, with Kieran Meek adding the conversion and a penalty.
But the second half belonged to the home side with 48 points scored to the visitors’ five. Price grabbed his second try, while there was also a brace off the bench for Scott Matthews, as well as tries from second row Ieuan Jones, scrum-half Owain Leonard, Harri Ford and Dylan Davies.
Meek added another three conversions and one penalty with his replacement Ford converting his and Davies’ scores. Bridgend’s only reply was an unconverted Rhydian Greenhall try to at least earn them a bonus point.
“It was very pleasing the way the boys turned it around,” said Pooler head coach Tom Hancock, who is yet to taste defeat at Pontypool Park since taking over.
“There’s always an element that the boys do have belief if they’re playing down that slope in the second half. As cliché as it sounds, it really does give you an advantage.
“We felt we were just about close to breaking them throughout the first half and that we were getting on top and that, as long as we were patient and kept believing in ourselves, we were strong enough to come through.
“Probably no one foresaw us pulling away to that extent, but it was really pleasing second half and probably the best we’ve played this season – which is great for confidence.”
Newport were given a fright at home to bottom side Swansea before eventually prevailing with a 33-28 bonus-point victory.
Tries from hooker Wade Langley, scrum-half Luke Crane and outside half Will Reed had put the Black & Ambers 19-0 to the good after 26 minutes, with Reed converting both his and Crane’s scores. They led 19-7 at the turnaround with back rower Geraint Powell pulling one back for the visitors, converted by Josh Phillips.
But the Whites, who have lost every match in SRC so far, then stunned the hosts with two more tries after the interval; first from Lewis Edwards and then Max Nagy – both converted by Phillips – to go into the lead 21-19 as they looked to upset Newport on their own ground just as they did last season.
That was the way it stayed until the 71st minute when Swansea’s resistance was finally broken after Newport were awarded a penalty try before Chay Foster-Smith added a fifth Newport try late on. A fourth Swansea try, scored by Jamie Cox and converted by Phillips, ensured they would leave with two bonus points.
Newport, in third, are eight points back on leaders Ebbw Vale but with a game in hand. There was also the welcome sight of Newport centre Harri Ackerman making his return having been out since breaking his leg captaining Wales U20 against France back in March.
Llandovery are just one place and one point further back after they defeated RGC 31-23 at Church Bank to make it five straight wins.
Aaron Warren scored twice for the Drovers, with Rhodri Jones and a penalty try also on the scoresheet. Ioan Hughes kicked three conversions with Jack Maynard adding a penalty.
Jac Petch-Jones and Sam Williams scored for RGC, who rallied from 14-3 down to lead 23-21 at one stage, but they remain winless on the road this season. Dion Jones kicked three penalties and two conversions.
Aberavon picked up their first win on the road this season and completed a league double over Carmarthen Quins with a 24-17 victory in west Wales.
Hooker Luke Davies was at the double with Frankie Jones and Cori Lewis-Jenkins also dotting down for the Wizards. Ed Dunford added a pair of conversions. It secured the Aberavon their third win of the season and, following the home win over RGC, also made it back-to-back triumphs.
Quins replied with two tries scored by flanker Ben Williams – a former Aberavon player – both of which were converted by another ex-Wizard in Aled Thomas – who also slotted a penalty.
