PONTYPOOL coach Steve Jones has conceded defeat in this year's promotion race as the safest hands in First Division rugby look to have cost them their dream of title glory.

An unthinkable 19-17 defeat at the hands of minnows Rumney, who before the match confessed it would be a miracle if they won, saw Pooler's title charge fail, as they stole all three points.

Leading by just one point deep into injury time Pontypool looked as if they had lived to see another day. But from a Rumney kick off the unthinkable happened as Hayward fumbled the ball leading to a scrum for the away side. Pontypool went on to infringe in the set play to give away their umpteenth penalty of the match and flyhalf Tommy Price coolly kept his nerve to slot over the ball and nail Gwent's 'Sleeping Giant' to another likely season in Welsh rugby's doldrums.

"It's all over. I can not see us getting a choice in the matter now, we've blown it. We have to look at ourselves, our discipline let us down. Rumney played well, well done to them," a gutted Steve Jones confessed.

But it was more than their discipline that let them down and Hayward's moment of bad luck just capped a poor day at the office for every player in the side who must all share the blame.

Both teams looked sloppy with the ball from the kick off, but it was the home side that had the better of the first half - both with possession and territory. Pooler also had the wind behind them, but just like Swansea did two weeks earlier in that historic Principality Cup game they failed to capitalise on the advantage. This was perfectly underlined in the closing minutes of the half when they were awarded a kickable penalty for an easy three points that would have stretched their lead to 13-3. Instead they kicked to touch aiming for the try and failed.

But this was a game littered with mistakes and as club director Arthur Crane admitted was "their worst performance of the season". Pooler won this fixture 43-14 back in October thanks to a hungry, high tempo game of quick hands and breathtaking support play. In this match they could only manage two tries - one in either half by substitutes James Taylor and Mark Jones.

Pooler led uncomfortably at half time and Rumney made them pay soon after. Clawing their way back to 10-9 Rumney took a deserved lead when centre David Willey blazed up the field to score between the posts. Price converted and Pooler were in turmoil. However, with the 80th minute on the clock Pooler made one last concerted effort number 8 Jones going over unmarked. With the conversion they led by just one point, but surely it was enough. In hindsight we know it wasn't and the players' faces told it all as the referee blew for full time.

How Pooler respond after this defeat is in their hands. Pontypool - S Lawrence, L Woodard (J Taylor 28), S John, J Hawker, D Smith, B Hayward, N Lloyd, G Gunter (A Phillips 48), L Jones (C Thomas 58), N T'au, G Taylor, K Faletau (M Powell 48), A Howarth, S Waldron, M Tu'ipulotu (M Jones 40) Scorers: Tries - J Taylor, M Jones. Cons - Hayward 2. Pens - Hayward 1. Rumney - C Wills, I McIntyre, D Willey, S Macintosh, S McIntyre, T Price, G Welsh, G Cox, P Harris, N Hennessey, M Peard, P Langley, P Masoe (G Harrington 55), W O'Connor, G Lucas.

Scorers: Tries - D Willey. Cons - T Price. Pens - T Price 3. Drop Goals - P. Masoe.