Pontypool can set their sights on the play-offs once again after they completed the double over fourth placed Cardiff in the Indigo Premiership.

Pooler’s timely 20-13 triumph over Cardiff at Pontypool Park backed up their earlier win at the Arms Park for Leighton Jones’ men to close the gap and reignite their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Having started the season with a bang, winning seven of their opening eight games on their return to the Premiership, Pooler had only won twice in their last eight.

Pooler also suffered a points deduction that enabled Cardiff to leapfrog them.

But this result backs up their 16-9 win over Cardiff at the Arms Park at the end of October.

It also certainly sets up an interesting run in, with Pooler, in fifth, now sitting nine points behind Cardiff – but with a game in hand.

Wing Dewi Cross put Cardiff ahead after six minutes with an unconverted try but the hosts responded.

Matthew Jarvis sent over a penalty before captain Scott Matthews broke free at the back of a driving lineout and put scrum-half Morgan Lloyd in for a try which Jarvis converted.

They led 10-8 at the break with Harrison James kicking a penalty for the visitors to close the gap.

Jarvis’ penalty on the hour extended Pooler’s lead before Peter Lloyd pounced on the ball to score after good work from winger Matthew Powell. Jarvis converted.

There was still time for Cross to get his second try and secure a losing bonus point for Cardiff.

Ebbw Vale, in third, remain level on points with Newport after they won 36-13 at Bridgend, but the Steelmen have played two games more.

Scrum-half Jon Evans went over for a try in the first half for Ebbw, which Evan Lloyd also improved having earlier kicked a penalty – but they trailed at half time.

All of the Ravens’ points came in the first half and came courtesy of a Iestyn Merriman try, converted by Jamin Hodgkin – who also kicked two penalties.

Ebbw seized the lead just after half time when Lloyd’s chip through was collected by wing Ewan Bowden who did the rest, with Lloyd converting.

Evans scored a third try for the Steelmen after 53 minutes, again converted by Lloyd, before they pulled away in the final quarter, with further tries scored by Harry Drane, converted by Lloyd, and Rhys Francis.