PONTYPOOL recorded the double over Blackwood in Division 1 East, running off 29-20 winners at the Park - but it all proved to be too close for comfort in the closing minutes!

Cae Trayhern and his men had swept into a commanding 26-3 lead early in the second half. Then the wheels nearly fell off the wagon in the final quarter as battling Blackwood roared back with three smart tries.

It was left to full back Darren Pearce to seal the victory with an injury-time penalty goal.

Pontypool, who were 22-3 winners at Blackwood last December, can take a number of positives from the match - not least dynamic individual performances from flanker Trayhern and Lloyd Burns in the front row.

Hooker Burns rounded off sweeping passing movements in the 21st and 48th minutes to grab touchdowns.

Prop Gareth James and lock Lee Edwards also crossed for tries, while Pearce kicked three conversions as well as the penalty.

Stunned by Pooler's scoring spurt early in the second half after holding them to a 12-3 interval lead, Blackwood showed they have plenty of mettle despite their perilous position in the league basement.

Right wing Gregg Davies, No 8 Brendan Lampitt and full back Sean Emery capped quality passing movements with impressive tries, one of which was converted by replacement back Jeremy Lloyd.

Outside-half Paul Emanuelli had opened the scoring with a 22-metre penalty kick in the eighth minute.

Referee Matthew Alpin (Pontardawe) had initially awarded a penalty to Pontypool. He then reversed the decision after Edwards was sent to the sin-bin for trampling on an opponent well after the whistle had been blown.

The weather took a turn for the worse in the closing stages when a sudden downpour sent team officials, replacements and spectators alike scampering for cover in the grandstand.

Pontypool also just managed to weather the storm as their opponents belatedly clicked into top gear!

Gareth Jenkins, one of Pooler's coaching team, said at the end of the game: "We did really well in the first hour of play.

"We've been working hard over the last month on the contact area. We enjoyed a supply of good, clean ball and we certainly made the most of it. We were pleased with this marked improvement but we lost our way towards the end.

"Blackwood came back at us well and showed that we need to improve our fitness because we can't afford to fall away at the end of games."

Blackwood coach Neil Barber said: "I thought we played some really good rugby in the first half but our finishing let us down.

"Then Pontypool scored two killer tries soon after the restart.

"Trailing 26-3 many teams would have folded, but we showed great character and bounced back with three fine tries. I think Pontypool were very relieved to hear the final whistle.

Pontypool: D Pearce, N Daniel (L Woodard 63), C Landry, R Jenkins, C Jones, S Lawrence, G Betts (R Griffiths 75), G James, L Burns (L Jones 51), N Blake, J Noble, L Edwards (C Powell 63), C Trayhern, capt, R Nash (S Jones 70) and D Cox.