PONTYPOOL starved Blackwood of quality possession in this Asda Division One East top-of-the-table clash to run out comfortable 26-12 winners.

The man who made all the difference was outstanding home forward Daryl Cox. Big lock Cox dominated the lineout play - both on his own team's and opponents' throws - to give the home side just the platform they needed.

Pooler, playing down the slope with the wind at their backs, made the most of the good ball to run up a further 20 points in a rather one-sided second half.

No 8 David Brake and flanker Nicky Coughlin also put in eye-catching displays as dynamic ball- carriers in the slippery conditions, although the pitch was in remarkably good shape after the heavy overnight rain and a further downpour an hour or so before the start.

Pontypool captain and hooker Leighton Jones and Coughlin each crashed over for a try after steam-rolling drives by the accomplished home eight in the 63rd and 76th minutes respectively. But the home side missed out on at least four other touchdowns because of handling and alignment errors as well as some stoic defensive work by the visitors. That cost the league leaders a much-coveted bonus point.

Outside-half Stuart Lawrence marked his return to action by kicking four penalty goals and two conversions for a match tally of 16 points. Lawrence has now scored a total of 116 league points so far this season.

All Blackwood's points came from the reliable boot of experienced outside-half Jeremy Lloyd, who has developed an excellent half-back partnership with skipper Gavin Rees.

In fact, Lloyd gave the visitors, holding third place in the league behind Pontypool and Bargoed before the kick-off, just the start they wanted. He stroked over three penalties in the first, seventh and 23rd minutes as Pooler fell foul of some fussy refereeing by Mr Gwyn Morris of Cardiff.

The referee added to the Pooler fans' frustration by promptly despatching home lock Jamie Williams to the sin bin in the 11th minute for what he adjudged to be an aggressive high tackle on Blackwood hooker Leigh Murray.

The best move of the game came towards the end of the first half when a smart break by Pooler centre Phil Price had Blackwood desperately back-pedalling in their 22- metres area. Price slipped a difficult inside pass to the supporting Rob Nash, but the wing forward could not gather the ball cleanly with the try line at his mercy. That enabled Blackwood to hang on to a 9-6 interval lead, although Lawrence had cut the deficit with a short-range penalty - the last kick of the first half.

Pontypool's big and experienced pack went on to do the business in the second half to enable the club to chalk up a league double over their opponents - Pooler having won 26-18 at Blackwood on September 1.

Pontypool head coach Gareth Lintern said after the match: "We went to ground too early in the first half and we didn't make the most of our chances.

"At half-time we told the boys to step up the tempo, stay on their feet and keep driving forward. We did exactly that in the second half, Blackwood tired and we ran away with the game. We are disappointed we did not pick up the bonus point but we are well satisfied with the win."

Jeremy Lloyd, who is also Blackwood's backs coach, said: "We suffered because we could not secure our lineout ball. Pontypool are a very difficult side to keep out on their home patch when they are playing down the slope with the wind behind them.

"We have enjoyed a good run in the league so far this season and this is only our third defeat. But this match showed us we are still short of the mark and there is plenty of work to do."

Pontypool: G Wilks; S Roco, P Price, D Phillips, N Preece; S Lawrence, A Quick (G Betts 68); N Giles (J Jeune 68), L Jones, capt., N Blake (M Savage 65), J Williams (C Edwards 71), D Cox, N Coughlin, R Nash, and D Brake.

Tries: L Jones (63 mins) and N Coughlin (76 mins); pens: S Lawrence (20, 40+4, 51, and 68 mins); cons: S Lawrence (2).

Blackwood: S Emery; K Perry, L Knight, D James, A Elliot; J Lloyd (R Davies 76), G Rees, capt; D Tucker (A Coundley 55), L Murray (S Volkes 60), C Nutt, G Short (L Lovell 69), M Gwilt, Adam Coupe, Andrew Coupe (L Hamer 69) and L Taylor.

Pens: J Lloyd (1, 7, 23 and 57 mins).

Referee: Mr Gwyn Morris (Cardiff).