PONTYPOOL celebrated long and hard into the night after they were crowned as WRU Championship kings for a third successive season following a thrilling 42-21 away win over Cardiff Metropolitan University, writes Terry Daley.

However, Newbridge were left only to drown their sorrows with relegation confirmed after a 29-28 away defeat at Newcastle Emlyn.

Pooler’s hero at the Cyncoed Campus was outside half Matthew Lewis, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a late drop goal.

The success means Pooler will face a promotion play-off clash with the team finishing fifth from bottom of the WRU Principality Welsh Premiership table - currently Bridgend.

The triumph over Cardiff Met sparked a social media tweet storm with the club and some officials making statement and many fans and followers offering congratulations.

Pontypool Rugby Club chief executive Ben Jeffreys kept it short, tweeting “Pontypool RFC is going to the play-off!! A proud day for this great club.”

Pooler’s official twitter account issued the following remark: “Following our bonus point victory in Cyncoed and Narberth's defeat (42-34) to Tata Steel, we have been crowned WRU National Championship winners for a third consecutive season.”

Pooler coach Leighton Jones wrote: “Incredibly proud of just how much the boys dug deep this afternoon and it shows just how far Pontypool RFC has developed this past three seasons.

“Winning the league is not just important for the club, but also creates a huge buzz for the town of Pontypool.”

The game itself was a points-laden affair which saw the lead change hands half a-dozen times with each side scoring six tries.

With not too many minute remaining, Pooler trailed 40-31 and were facing their first reverse since losing 30-22 to the students at the same venue on March 25, 2017.

Pooler responded, though, with a try from flanker Michael Herbert and a conversion by Matthew Lewis to make it 40-38 to the hosts.

But with time slipping by, Matthew Lewis retreated back into the pocket to slot over a brilliant drop goal and cap a remarkable comeback.

That Herbert try was his second of the game and others came from lock forwards Ben Egan and Danny Hodge, full back Geraint Walsh plus winger Lloyd Lewis.

In total, Matthew Lewis landed four conversions plus that crucial drop goal with Pooler winning a 42nd straight Championship game since that capital defeat two years and five days previously.

Pooler still have five league games left, but are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Ebbw Vale RFC to take on Premiership leaders Merthyr for a place in the final of the WRU National Cup.

Newbridge visited the Dôl Wiber seeking a fourth successive league win over the hosts, who they beat 33-32 at home last November and in both 2017-2018 meetings.

At the interval, The Pigs were well in control and held what appeared to be a commanding 28-12 advantage.

However the second period summed up Newbridge’s miserable season as they conceded 17 points without reply to slip to a 15th defeat in 21 fixtures and their last is at Rhydyfelin on Saturday.

'Bridge have a game left at Rhydyfelin but cannot stay up even if they secure five points as that is the gap to Trebanos. They face Maesteg Quins later this season, so one of the clubs will move ahead of the Gwent side's tally.

Once relegation is certain, they will have to prepare for life in the WRU National League Division One East after playing in the Championship since it was introduced in 2012-2013.