PONTYPOOL have called for Beddau to be thrown out of the WRU National Championship after seeing their title defence ended by the failure to rearrange a fixture.

Pooler’s campaign is over with 11 of 13 games played after they could not sort a fresh date for a home encounter with their rivals from Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The original December meeting was postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak in the Beddau squad.

Pooler claim they have had several suggestions for new dates turned down and under WRU rules for this Covid-affected season, Leighton Jones’ side do not get a walkover victory.

Pontypool trail leaders Bargoed by five points and second-placed Neath by three with a game in hand on both.

“Given that the season will not conclude with all fixtures completed, Pontypool RFC and Ystalyfera RFC officials have agreed that there is no point in devoting time and financial resources into re-arranging the fixture between the two clubs,” read a statement.

South Wales Argus:

Pooler were hunting a fourth title on the spin and were aiming to keep the heat on leaders Bargoed, who needed a pair of bonus-point wins to secure top spot.

“Pontypool RFC would like to place on record its strong dissatisfaction towards Beddau RFC for how it has chosen to conduct its business,” said the statement.

“To forfeit a National Championship fixture diminishes the league’s credibility and makes an even greater mockery of what has already been a disjointed season.

“It is the club’s position that they should be expelled from the National Championship immediately, but this clearly is not going to happen due to the unforgivable ineptitude of the Welsh Rugby Union.

“As such, the club also wishes to place on record its frustration for how the Welsh Rugby Union has lost complete control of its ability to govern the game.

“Time and time again, the governing body has proven it is not fit for purpose and Pontypool RFC is again calling for the entire community game board to resign from their positions with immediate effect.

“Welsh club rugby deserves a community game board – and a board of directors for that matter - that hold the requisite skills to manage the game at all levels.

“To place an ambitious club such as Pontypool RFC in a position whereby the club’s season has been abruptly terminated whilst still holding a mathematical opportunity to win a National Championship is indefensible.

“They have caused untold damage to the reputation of the second tier of Welsh club rugby.”

Pontypool opted out of the Championship Cup and started their league campaign on November 13.

“We also wish to express our immense gratitude to the Pooler Army for your unwavering support during what has been an immensely challenging period throughout COVID-19 and the subsequent return to play,” read the statement.

“Our focus will now turn to making preparations for a hugely important 2022/23 season, but we do so with an intense level of cynicism and concern for how the Welsh Rugby Union will govern the National Championship effectively, given its abysmal track record of presiding over a culture of failure and apathy towards the clubs it supposedly represents.”

WRU community director Geraint John pointed out that the rules were in place from the start of the campaign, with promotion and relegation not taking place.

John said: "From the outset of the pandemic, we were very clear in our principle goal of ensuring all our clubs were in a position to come out of this period as sustainable businesses and we provided significant on and off-field support in conjunction with Welsh Government and other bodies to enable them to do this.

"Due to the probability of further disruptions to the adult season due to high infection rates and lockdowns - which affected clubs around the Christmas period in particular - the community game board made the decision that there would be no promotion or relegation this season.

"We would like all our clubs to complete their fixtures if possible - and we will celebrate outright league winners... but because of all the mitigating factors this season, the CGB also decided very early on that clubs who didn't fulfil all their fixtures this season would not be sanctioned.

"We totally understand the frustration of some clubs but we are pleased with the way the majority of our clubs have adapted to everything the last two years has thrown their way."