ACTING skipper Byron Hayward's sole purpose in joining Pontypool this season was to get them back into Welsh rugby's top flight.

He would relish another crack at playing at Premier level and believes he can do so with Pooler.

But he has sounded a warning to them ahead of tonight's clash at home to fifth-placed Tondu.

"We have three games left and the only thing we must focus on is winning them all," said the former Gloucester, Llanelli and Ebbw Vale pivot. "We must not worry about try-count.

"If we achieve that, the pressure will be on Aberavon to win their final games (they play two after Pontypool have completed their fixtures) and score the tries. They could come unstuck.

"It's definitely possible Aberavon will even lose again. They have to visit Tondu (on May 4) and it's a difficult place to win."

Currently Pontypool and Aberavon are level on top of the Welsh First Division on points and try-count.

Pontypool would move ahead with a win tonight, but the Wizards should go back on top with a comfortable win at Merthyr tomorrow, leaving the play-off race to go down to the wire.

"We don't feel under pressure at all," said Hayward. "Since Aberavon lost to Whitland, it has lifted the club.

"There's been a real buzz and last week was the best we'd trained for a couple of months. We are feeling really confident now we are back in the title hunt.

"Our attitude has gone from 'ok, we're going to be second' to 'right, we've been given this chance and we aren't going to blow it'.

"I think, because of our mishaps against Whitland, Rumney and Llandovery, we won't take any of our final three games for granted."

And what of Pontypool's chances of a play-off success against Caerphilly and a return to the big time.

Hayward added: "I'd be reasonably confident in a play-off because our cup experiences this season have proved we can perform in a one-off game, albeit this time over two legs. "There's no reason why we couldn't beat Caerphilly.

"And it would be great to get back in the Premier flight. That's why I joined Pontypool from Gloucester."

Skipper Mark Jones returns to the Pontypool line up after a family bereavement.

Other changes see Joel Griffin on the wing and Leighton Jones at hooker.

Pontypool: D Smith/S Lawrence, S John, B Jeffries, J Hawker, J Griffin, B Hayward, N Lloyd, A Phillips/G Gunter, L Jones, L Mustoe, G Taylor/K Faletau, M Powell, M Tuipulotu, C Trayherne, M Jones. Replacements from rest of squad. Kick-off 7.15pm. Meet 5.45pm. Tickets for the club's last three home matches, priced £10, are now available.