Pooler sunk by super-sub (From Free Press Series)

Pooler sunk by super-sub

SUPER-SUB Jonathan Williams snapped up a try four minutes after going on to clinch victory yesterday after Pooler had led 8-7 for 12 minutes. Williams, replacing full back Darren Miles, pounced when outside half Scott Mitchell put him away with a long pass for a 69th minute try which he converted.

Wing Mike Poole scored Pontypool's lone try two minutes after replacing Nathan Daniel.

Keys coach Robert Beale said: "I'm delighted at winning a difficult game. Full credit to Pontypool who played some nice rugby."

Fellow coach Nicky Lloyd added: "Games in the Premier have often been difficult to forecast this season. When we won at Newport we said Pontypool had also won at Rodney Parade and that spurred us on."

Pooler coach David Gray felt the performance was better than their home defeat by Ebbw Vale. "It's disappointing not to get three points but we have three home matches coming up," he said.

This was Keys' third successive league win and Pooler's third consecutive defeat.

Keys also gaining their third successive league win over Pooler, had their work cut out in taking a 7-3 interval lead.

Gareth Turner opened the scoring after 16 minutes. Outstanding flanker Tom Lampard took the ball at the back of a line-out and then came a brilliant break by David Price to put his fellow centre over.

Miles, who had missed two penalties, converted to pass 500 career points for Keys.

Sam Mills's penalty cut the deficit. Poole's try, while Keys scrum half Gareth Betts was in the sin bin, was a gift, the wing divong over as Miles hesitated clearing a rolling ball.

Both back rows can take credit, with Watkins and Pooler skipper Gavin Lucas setting an example.

Cross Keys: D Miles (J Williams 65); M McKee, G Turner, D Price, M Johnstone (N Williams 65); S Mitchell, G Betts (R James 58); I George, R Miller, D Evans (R Cornock 73), S Marasco (W Simms 73), W Thomas (Simms 4-10), B Watkins (captain), R Williams, T Lampard. Scorers: tries: G Turner, J Williams; conversions: D Miles, J Williams. Pontypool: D Smith, L Woodard, A Sliczny, S Williams, N Daniel (M Poole 55); S Mills, A Quick, N Giles, L Meades (R Wilks 68), N Blake, D Rosser (A Brown 62), D Cox (R Dix 75), M Amos, G Lucas (captain), Ll Burns. Scorers: try: M Poole; penalty S Mills.