PONTYPOOL suffered a 43-19 defeat in Saturday's pre-season friendly at Pontypool Park, but gave a lot of young players a run-out.

Pontypridd were building up for Friday's Welsh/Scottish League start against Bridgend. But Pontypool gave all their players on duty a run, though new signings Mark Jones and Jonathan Hawker didn't play and neither did a few more on holiday.

Five youth players from last season and this year played and did well.

Pontypool's tries were scored by Lenny Woodard, Chris Landry and Chris Roberts-Lloyd, Byron Hayward converting two.

Pontypool play Abergavenny in another friendly at home tomorrow night, kick off 7.15pm.