Pooler need to win (From Free Press Series)

Pooler need to win

PONTYPOOL go into Saturday's match against Swansea desperate to pick up their first win of the season after three defeats in a row.

But they are likely to be without talismanic hooker Leighton Jones who aggravated the troublesome facial injury that has caused him so many problems in recent months in Saturday's 21-17 defeat at Aberavon.

Head coach Steve Jones admitted Leighton's absence would have a massive impact on the side with Swansea boasting one of the most potent scrums in the Premiership, but said his players could still win the match.

"Leighton and Cae (Trayhern - Pooler captain) are the two key players in this side. Our physical presence does dip without them. "Leighton has this deep bruising to his cheek and eye. The ideal situation would be for him to rest for two to three weeks, but he is so vital to the pack and he never stops wanting to play," said Jones.

"In terms of results I am disappointed with having lost three games, but in regards to performance we could have won those matches.

"We played as well as we could away at Newport and Aberavon, but certain factors just haven't gone our way particularly when it comes to the rub of the green."

Jones was referring to some of the decisions made by Saturday's referee that included a penalty try to Aberavon - one of the fastest in rugby history, and the sending off of props Julian Viner and his replacement Neil Giles.

"I'm not going to start bashing referees, but it seems to be we are getting the stiff hand from them time and time again. When we get penalised for the smallest of incidents other sides are given the benefit of the doubt," said Jones.

Pooler's tries in Saturday's match came from the ever-impressive Cae Trayhern and Adam Sliczny and with all 15 men on the field they might have just edged the match for their first win of the season.

"It was another disappointing result, but the young lads out there acquitted themselves very well. It's early days and we can not be judged on our standing in the table and results so far. We haven't got the first month out the way yet."