PONTYPOOL crashed 12 points to 16 to their second consecutive defeat of the season in a fiercely contested game away at Treorchy.

Despite scoring two well-taken tries they failed to capitalise on their greater possession, struggling to break the Zebra's dogged defence throughout much of the game.

The red and whites were left mulling over too many missed opportunities as a lone second half try proved enough to steal all three points for the home side.

From the outset Pooler's lineout and scrum was in formidable form. But despite a continued flow of ball from the set pieces the back line looked hesitant and rushed with possession, proving costly as the game drew on.

The Gwent side had built a seemingly secure lead thanks to two tries from wing Lennie Woodard and full back Joel Griffin.

Woodard's try highlighted the ability Pontypool boast - if only in patches at this stage. Outside half Jonathan Hawker made a daring break from deep, showing good vision as he cut through the Treorchy defence.

With a flood of players in support, both forwards and backs intertwined to move the ball with pace further up field. When the ball was eventually spread out to Woodard he coolly sprinted over the line for an early try which centre Ben Jefferies converted for a deserved 7-0 lead.

Pontypool pushed hard from the kick off looking for their next score. Lineout ball close to the Treorchy line was quickly off loaded to lock Mike Powell who made a good break over the gain line with a powerful driving maul.

When the referee awarded a scrum to Pontypool, number 9 Nicky Lloyd was quick to release the ball to his back line. Ben Jefferies brought the away fans to their feet with a devastating run through the defence and when the ball was passed to Joel Griffin from the resulting maul he scrambled his way over the line just touching the ball down for the game's second score, Jefferies missing the conversion.

Two penalty kicks from the boot of Treorchy's Richard Langmead closed the gap at half time to 6-12.

The number 10 extended his side's score after the break with another penalty, as Pooler began to look troubled. Towering lock Kulu Faletau gave his side ample ball from the lineout to attack with, but their inventiveness and ability to break the gain line had dried up as Treorchy just soaked up the pressure to score the game's only other try through full back Movete Oto'Ota.

16-12 behind Ponty failed to score as fans watched their play turn to desperation. Team Manager Tony Clarke spoke of his frustration. "Everything just seemed rushed. That is where we miss Byron Hayward. Last week's result was not a shock but this one really is," he said.

*PICTURED: Pooler's Lennie Woodward is hauled down short of the Treorchy line.