FOR those who witnessed it, Saturday’s match is likely to be remembered for a punch thrown by Pontypool lock Sam Pailor that would have impressed Muhammad Ali.

Pailor’s blow floored Tonmawr back-rower Hywel Stoddart, brother of Wales and Scarlets wing Morgan, in a niggly second half.

Stoddart had only been on the field for 20 minutes after replacing skipper Rob Hill, needing eight stitches to his mouth administered by a doctor at the ground.

He didn’t come back on the field and justice was dispensed by referee David Bodilly in the form of a yellow card, much to the fury of the home fans, who saw red.

The incident was captured on film and Pooler assistant coach Wayne Jones said Pailor was defending himself after he had been punched.

"The yellow card was the right decision – Sam was the victim of a cheap shot," he said.

For Pooler this was a miserable day and one they will want to forget as they crashed out of the Swalec Cup in a fairly ignominious fashion.

Jones lambasted his side for a lacklustre performance that saw them go down 21-0 after just 16 minutes.

In that period they shipped three converted tries, with the game as good as over in the first quarter.

"There was a lack of fortitude out there," Jones said.

"I’m hugely disappointed. There were poor performances all round and some of the individual errors were shocking. We made far too many silly errors.

"We had players falling off tackles who don’t usually fall off tackles.

"And there were players who came in today who just didn’t take their opportunity."

Tonmawr are a very accomplished and uncompromising side, with no team likely to relish a trip to the Whitworth Ground this season.

And with handy Ospreys outside-half Dai Flanagan and wing Kristian Phillips to come back, they could be a good bet to lift the Swalec Cup.

Their defence is seriously mean, as Pooler found out on Saturday.

The only change they got out of the hosts was a 48th-minute try by hooker Rhys Buckley and a late first-half penalty by full back Gareth O’Driscoll.

Tonmawr were very fortunate to score their first two tries – the first by Warren Davies after five minutes came after a blatant forward pass to the centre.

The second was the result of a suicidal adventure by O’Driscoll, who tried to run the ball deep in his own territory.

His pass was intercepted by wing Gareth John, who raced home.

Number three came after young Ospreys tighthead prop Joe Rees crashed over. Tonmawr’s fly-half Luke Richards’ conversions made the gap even wider.

Pooler did try to mount a comeback but all they could muster was a 39th-minute penalty after nearly crossing the home whitewash twice.

Any lingering dreams of a successful rally went up in smoke when Tonmawr full back Elliot Frewen showed a great turn of speed to score a converted try just three minutes into the second half.

Buckley’s try again offered hope but Richards’ fine penalty on 53 minutes was the last score of the game.

Pooler have a huge game away to Glamorgan Wanderers in the week which could all but guarantee their league survival.

If they play like this in Ely on Wednesday they will come a cropper.

Tonmawr: E Frewen, D Roberts (K Richards 71), D Richie (T Selley 71), W Davies, D Roberts, L Richards, J Donovan, O Ford, D Harvey (I Dobbs 66), J Rees (S Henry 66), J Griffiths, B Davies, A Gwynne, R Hill (Captain) (H Stoddart 40, I Purnell 62).

Replacements: S Andrews.

Scorers – Tries: W Davies, G John, J Rees, E Frewen; conversions: L Richards (4); penalty: Richards.

Pontypool: G O’Driscoll, G Williams, G Ferguson, P Price, O Halford (J Butler 66), T Hancock, C Morgan (M Thomas 48), J Jeune, R Buckley (C Attwell 66), N Blake (J Faletau 41), S Pailor, R Bowen (captain), C Trayhern, L Dyckhoff (C Gawler 20), T Organ.

Replacements: M Burke, D Critchley.

Scorers – Try: R Buckley; penalty: G O’Driscoll.

Referee: David Bodilly (Cardiff).