Pooler escape drop (From Free Press Series)

Pooler escape drop

PONTYPOOL take on Welsh Premiership leaders Neath at the Park on Saturday on the back of two morale-boosting away wins, safe in the knowledge that their top-flight status has been preserved for another year.

Success at Newbridge ten days ago was followed by a narrow 32-30 win over Bedwas on Saturday as Pooler put some indifferent recent form behind them to move up to 11th in the Premiership table.

But while Pooler are experiencing something of a revival, Neath seem to be suffering an attack of the championship jitters as defeat to Bridgend on Saturday cut their lead at the top of the table to only six points.

"The pressure's on Neath," said Pontypool assistant coach Kevin Weaver.

"They've started to lose a few games lately. After two away wins we'll be confident but we can't get complacent, Neath are a good side and if we don't approach the game right we could lose by 30 or 40 points which would be a huge blow psychologically. The players should be aware that people come to watch these games to see a team play under pressure. These matches are where the regional squads are chosen from."

Reflecting on two back-to-back wins for his side on their travels Weaver was pleased with the performance in both games.

"We tried hard and played some good rugby in those matches," he said. "We won against Bedwas by only two points but I was talking about this with Steve (Jones, Pontypool coach) and seven games this year have been decided by only one score. That's the difference between success and failure at this level."

Talking about the prospect of facing the league leaders on Saturday Weaver added: "It is a big game on Saturday but as far as I'm concerned every time you put a Pontypool jersey on it's a massive game."

After the visit of Neath, Pontypool have further home games against Cardiff and Bridgend either side of a visit to Caerphilly.