Tondu 13 Pontypool 31

Pontypool closed the gap at the top of Division One with an impressive away victory over title rivals Tondu.

And undoubtedly the highlight of the Gwent side's win was the lesson in the art of rugby dished out by Pontypool's inspirational outside half Byron Hayward, pictured.

The former Welsh international was as hungry and impulsive as ever scoring a classy try and drop goal amongst his personal tally of 20 points. And despite a tiring second half that saw Pooler's defence tested to the full, coach Steve Jones can feel satisfied with a game that proved his men can defend just as well as they attack.

The game opened badly for Pontypool however when Tondu took a deserved lead after just three minutes when quick line out ball in the red and blacks 22 was moved with pace across the midfield. A stylish dummy pass saw centre Rob Walters crash through to score a textbook try. Wing Dean Thomas converted for a 7-0 lead.

But despite an encouraging opening 10 minutes for the Pandy Park side it was Pontypool whose appetite had been ignited as the Premiership hopefuls rocketed into a 20-10 half time lead thanks to forward dominance and imaginative back line play.

Two Hayward penalties closed the gap to 7-6 as Pooler began to move the ball with confidence. Unafraid to wait for fifth and sixth phase ball they powered closer to the Tondu line before stretching the ball out wide with a comfortable overlap to Stephen John who crossed in the corner for a converted try.

Pooler's Tongan all stars were always a danger and when Manu Tuipuloto broke up field with prop Uiniti Moa in support the crowd braced themselves for an almighty storm.

Pooler's backs had to work hard to keep up in support but Hayward was there to collect the final pass and cross for a memorable score. With the added conversion Pontypool led 20-10 at half time, Thomas adding another penalty to the home side's score after several misses.

The second half was very much an anti-climax yet Pontypool did underline their superior qualities in defence.

Tondu dominated but could do nothing to break the iron curtain that stood fearless in front of them. And with only a penalty for all their efforts, it was Pooler who struck with the half's only try after another penalty and drop goal from Hayward.

Centre Jonathan Hawker tore through the beleaguered Tondu defence with a late break and with Pooler's fitness now shinning through, third phase ball was enough to release Lennie Woodard in the corner for the game's final score and a win that keeps Pontypool's promotion hopes well on course.

* Pontypool's match against Merthyr next weekend has been switched to Friday night.