Pontypool are now in pole position to clinch promotion to the Principality Premiership from Division One East after they shared the spoils 12-12 with current leaders Caerphilly on Saturday.
The match, which drew the biggest crowd of the season to Virginia Park despite the rain and bitterly cold wind, ended with the scores level at 12-12, but this was anything but a tame draw!
In fact, home outside-half Celyn Ashton, who kicked four first-half penalties, had one final, last-kick-of-the-match chance in the ninth minute of time added on to snatch victory. Everyone held their breath, but his 51-metres penalty attempt into the wind sailed off target.
So Pontypool, who started the match two points behind leaders Caerphilly in the league table, must now be hot favourites to take the title because they still have three games to play while Caerphilly only have one.
Pooler's points also came from four penalty goals via the boot of full back Gary Wilks. Indeed, he only levelled the scores in the third minute of injury time but it was a great pressure kick from 45 metres out. The drama continued because three minutes later Caerphilly lock Adam Minty barged over for a touchdown - only to be recalled by impressive referee Mr Neil Ballard (Cardiff) because of an earlier crossing infringement.
The difficult playing conditions produced a stream of slips and spills but they added to the nail-biting tension felt by players and supporters in this "crunch" fixture.
Caerphilly's hard-working forwards certainly had the upper hand before the interval, when the score stood at 12-6. Home half- backs Ashton and Alun Ford cleverly exploited the wind advantage from the start with some excellent kicking for field position.
Pooler sensibly reverted to their more familiar "pick and drive" tactics in the second half after an unproductive spell of trying to move the ball wide in the first period, and they came very close to snapping up tries as their experienced pack steam-rollered to the home line. Only heroic defensive work by the hosts kept them at bay. Caerphilly also had to contend with the loss of wing forward Sam Feehan for a spell either side of the interval after he was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle.
Pooler's No 8 Nicky Coughlin was again in outstanding form in attack and defence, along with back-row colleagues Rob Nash and Gavin Donaldson, while Cae Trayhern also made a big impact after replacing Donaldson midway through the second half.
At the final whistle, both teams had the satisfaction of knowing they had fully contributed to a great contest - and a draw really was a fair result. The sides also ended on level terms (13-13) when they met at Pontypool Park on February 22.
Pontypool head coach Gareth Lintern said after the match: "It was never going to be pretty rugby because so much was resting on the match. Our boys pinned Caerphilly inside their 22-metres area for long spells in the second half but credit must go to Caerphilly because they defended as if their lives depended on it! Thank goodness Gary Wilks came up trumps with that late penalty. We are in a good position now in terms of promotion but we still have three hard matches in front of us - not least Beddau at home next Saturday."
Caerphilly director of rugby Gordon Pritchard said: "This was a great battle and both teams are a credit to the league. To be honest, Pontypool would have to throw it away now not to win promotion to the Premiership, where they really belong. We have built our team from scratch this season and we certainly didn't expect to be at the top of the table at this stage of the campaign. It's been a great effort by our players, the coaches and everyone involved at the club. Things are certainly going in the right direction for us."
Caerphilly: N Gittings; C Thomas (R Phillips 60), L Mullane, I Carter, S Sankala; C Ashton, A Ford; M Griffiths (G Jones 66), C Ferris, capt. (A Payne 60), M Petit, A Minty, C Payne (A Meads 66), S Feehan, R Watkins and S Edwards (J Griffiths 48). Pens: C Ashton (2, 14, 28 and 40+6 mins).
Pontypool: G Wilks; N Preece, G O'Driscoll, D Phillips, D Robinson; S Lawrence, G Betts; J Jeune, L Jones, capt., N Blake (J Cross 77), C Edwards, D Cox, G Donaldson (C Trayhern 61), R Nash and N Coughlin.
Pens: G Wilks (26, 40+2, 53 and 80+3 mins). Referee: Neil Ballard (Cardiff).
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