PONTYPOOL recorded a crucial league double over Carmarthen Quins to ease their relegation fears, winning 27-11 in their first home match since November.

But Pooler will be frustrated that they did not grab a bonus point after storming into a commanding 20-3 lead after just 30 minutes.

In a sloppy second period, the home side allowed the visitors to dominate possession and territory and they gave away far too many penalties.

Impressive full back Geraint O’Driscoll spearheaded Pontypool’s scoring by crossing for one of his team’s three tries and kicking two penalties and three conversions for a personal tally of 17 points.

Powerful lock Sam Pailor and hooker Craig Attwell also crossed for tries.

Centre Jason Harries scored the Quins’ only try while full back James Stephenson kicked two penalty goals.

Pailor and flanker Rhys Bowen were outstanding in the Pontypool pack while strong-running centres Phil Price and Dan Robinson troubled the visitors’ suspect defence on several occasions, especially when O’Driscoll joined the threequarter line.

The Quins, who were beaten 29-19 on their home patch by Pooler last October, never recovered from their slow start although they had a real powerhouse in the pack in Tongan international lock Sioni Timani.

Conditions at the Park were near perfect with players and supporters alike enjoying the sunshine.

It was a pity that the standard of play deteriorated after the break with the whistle of referee Gwyn Morris being heard a little too often for most people’s liking.

Pontypool could hardly have got off to a better start. Pailor joined in a passing movement and he showed a commendable turn of speed in a 30-metre burst to cross for a third-minute touchdown converted by O’Driscoll.

The full-back and Stephenson exchanged short-range penalty goals before Pooler produced a stunning try in the 21st minute.

No fewer than eight players – including locks Pailor and Dale Critchley – combined in a sweeping passing movement which resulted in hooker Atwell crossing the line near the corner flag.

O’Driscoll added icing to the cake with an excellent conversion from the touchline.

He then showed his qualities as a marksman with a super 45-metre penalty after 29 minutes and that enabled Pooler to run off 20-3 interval leaders.

But the home men could only produce one further score in a disjointed second half when O’Driscoll capitalised upon a smart Robinson break to cross for a 58th minute try that he also converted.

Two players were sent to the sin-bin, the visitors’ loose-head prop Rob Evans seven minutes after the restart and Bowen in the closing minutes.

James Chapron, Pontypool’s head coach, said: “Chalking up the win was the most important thing for us. We started in great style and I think Craig Attwell’s try was probably our best of the season so far.

“Unfortunately, we allowed things to slip in the second half. Clearly, there are several aspects of our game that still need to be tightened up.”

Pontypool: G O'Driscoll; S Morgan, D Robinson (M. Thomas 63), P Price, G Williams (O. Halford 76); T Hancock, C. Morgan (G. Ferguson 63), J Jeune (L. Davies 58), C Attwell (R. Buckley 45), N Blake, S. Pailor, D Critchley, R Bowen, C Trayhern (T. Organ 66), G Morris (captain) ( I. Jones 72).

Scorers: Tries: S. Pailor (3 mins), C. Atwell (21 mins) and G. O’Driscoll (45 mins). Pens: G. O’Driscoll ( 14 and 29 mins, Cons: G. O’Driscoll (3) Carmarthen Quins: J. Stephenson; L. Williams, J. Harries, A. Banfield, J. Howells, C. Jones (G. Morgan 48), R. Richards (S. Martens 63); R. Evans, (I. Jones 58), R. Wilkes (R. Guest 70), K. Jones (T. Davies 61),S. Timani, H. Pugh, Stuart Phillips (captain), J. Davies (E. Lloyd 61), and Steffan Phillips. Scorers: Try: J. Harries (74 mins). Pens: J. Stephenson(19 and 45 mins) Referee: Gwyn Morris (Cardiff).

Argus star man: Sam Pailor.