PONTYPOOL will be hoping their worst nightmare doesn't return to haunt them this Saturday.

The promotion hopefuls face dark horses Whitland in a game that is destined to evoke some painful memories for Pooler's players and army of fans.

In October a seemingly unbeatable Pontypool side was beaten away at the West Wales minnows 19-13 - a defeat they are hungry to avenge.

"Of course we want and have to win Saturday's game against Whitland. It was a gut-wrenching defeat down there and one that was a massive shock for all of us," team manager Tony Clarke confessed.

He continued: "It's going to be a difficult game. They have some good players but their game plan is simple - they will try to kill the ball every time it is loose.

"Robert Norton is one of their key forwards and a back row forward I rate very highly. We will need to watch him."

Still on a high after Tuesday night's emphatic demolition of Tondu at the Park, Pontypool know they still have everything to play for. And Clarke admitted that scoring tries was at the forefront of their minds.

"We need to secure victory first, by spreading the ball away from their pack. But if we can open up a comfortable lead then I believe we can let the flood gates open on the try front. We did that against Tondu. Once we knew the result was ours at half time, we set about scoring tries - which we did," Clarke explained.

Whitland have been Division One's bogey side with the notable scalps of Pontypool and Aberavon.

Clarke admitted they do pose a threat and that Pooler's fans could play a massive part in bagging all three points this Saturday at Pontypool Park (2.30pm).

"You always have to be wary of Whitland, that's why we need our fans out in force. They are the extra player that can mean all the difference to us," Clarke revealed. Top scoring wing Len Woodard, needing just two tries to be the division's leading try scorer, returns to the Pontypool side.

Pontypool: S Lawrence, L Woodard, A N Other, J Hawker, S John, B Hayward, N Lloyd, A Phillips, L Jones/C Thomas, L Mustoe/G Gunter, G Taylor, M Powell, M Tuipulotu, C Trayherne, M Jones. Replacements from rest of squad. Meet ground 12.45pm.