PONTYPOOL coach Steve Jones has accused the Welsh Rugby Union of double standards in their treatment of the Welsh First Division club and Premier giants Pontypridd.

The WRU allowed the Sardis Road club to call off Saturday's game with Llanelli four days before it was scheduled because they could not field a front row.

But Pontypool, who have four front row men unfit or suspended for their trip to Narberth, claim they were told they could lose the points if they didn't fulfil the fixture.

They spent four days asking numerous Premier First Division and junior clubs including Newport, Neath, Ebbw Vale, Cross Keys, Pontypool United and Croesyceiliog for assistance.

In the end they had to include shoulder injury hit victim Lieghton Jones (the hooker requires an operation) and veteran Abertillery prop Paul Manning on the bench.

"This is not sour grapes over the Narberth result (leaders Pontypool suffered a shock 27-13 reversal). We under-performed and were beaten fair and square," said Jones.

"It's just we were told we could lose the points if we didn't play and made strenuous efforts to find replacements while Pontypridd called their game off with no apparent effort to secure any.

"We want the WRU to tighten up their procedures and ensure there is a level playing field for all."

* Newport and Ebbw Vale bowed out of the Wales Under-21s Premier Division cup.

Ironically, both sides lost to last seasons finalists with Newport losing 24-10 at cup holders Neath and Ebbw Vale 23-17 at Cardiff.

Neath led 18-3 before a late Newport try added excitement to the final moments but Neath reasserted control and a further try sealed a home win.

Number eight Marc Popham grabbed a consolation try for Newport late in the second half with fly half Michael Hook adding the conversion to an earlier penalty.

Ebbw Vale put behind them their disappointing league form to produce their best performance this season. Vale frustrated the home side for long periods, but Cardiff found their rhythm late in the match with centre Lee Mullane and replacement prop Gareth Howard scoring tries.

After conceding a try from Cardiff skipper Chris Miller which was converetd by fly half Dean Watkins, hooker Huw Jones opened the visitors account crashing over from a close range scrum.

Fly half Daniel Phillips added the conversion from wide out and then traded penalties with Watkins to tie the scores 10-10 at half time.

Flanker Sion Lang scored Vale's second try and with Phillips adding the conversion they led 17-10. Watkins reduced the deficit with his second penalty and Mullane and Howard scored tries to clinch victory for Cardiff and leave Ebbw Vale reflecting on what might have been.