PONTYPOOL skipper Matthew Taylor believes his 100% winning team can get a lot better yet - and will need to do so at Carmarthen Quins tomorrow.
The Quins defeated Pooler twice last season and have strengthened considerably since, as their 41-0 over Whitland proves.
"It's one of our big target games and hopefully it's pay back time," said Taylor, "but they will target this game too and it'll be tough."
Taylor squares this remark after wins over champions Aberavon (20-10), Newbridge (37-15) and Glamorgan Wanderers (35-17) by saying, "we've got three wins out of three, but we haven't performed as we can yet.
"In the first half against Aberavon and the second against Newbridge we played as well as we have in a long time.
"But we were pretty dire against the Wanderers and haven't put it together for eighty minutes."
Nevertheless, Taylor says the newcomers have given Pontypool added ability, as well as experience.
"We have a lot of good players now," he agreed. "Byron Hayward (formerly of Ebbw Vale, Llanelli, Gloucester and Wales) has been outstanding in the opening games, but all our newcomers add something.
"This season I think we have quality spread around the squad. Last year we had about five quality players whereas now we have 10 or 12.
"We have more depth and experience in the side, which counts."
Hayward epitomises this and Pontypool will try to keep him wrapped in cotton wool for they could struggle with inexperienced back-up if he's injured.
"Byron controls things," said Taylor. "A lot of players who drop down from the Premier Division don't always adapt well, but Byron's got the right mental attitude."
Taylor says the camaraderie in the side is also strong this season and he sees no reason why Pontypool shouldn't maintain their progress.
Former Ebbw Vale prop Alun Phillips has recovered from a back problem and plays tomorrow in a side showing seven changes from the side which defeated Glamorgan Wanderers in midweek.
Pontypool: J Griffin, C Landry, S John, J Hawker, L Woodard, B Hayward, N Lloyd, A Phillips, L Jones, S Cronk, K Faletau, M Powell, M Jones, M Taylor, A Lloyd. Replacements from rest of squad. Meet clubhouse 10.45am.
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