PONTYPOOL are going great guns in the SSE Swalec Championship but a painful home thumping at the hands of Bridgend Athletic means they is no chance of them getting ahead of themselves, writes Chris Kirwan.

The top two, unbeaten leaders Swansea and big-spending Merthyr, clash at St Helen's this afternoon and third-placed Pooler will hope to maintain their own title challenge.

They have been in fine form recently with a stunning victory at Merthyr and comprehensive successes against Llanharan and Newcastle Emlyn.

Pooler will be hot favourites to make it four on the spin when they host struggling Athletic (kick-off 2.30pm) – but in March the men from Newbridge Fields took the spoils 29-0.

"It was a big shock for us against them last year and this is a chance for us to redeem ourselves," said captain Ben Parry.

"It's easy getting up for the likes of Bargoed and Merthyr but there are plenty of banana skins in this league and you have to keep focused and keep preparing well, which we have done.

"The start to the season has gone well for us and the win at Merthyr was the best moment of my career here but we know that we have to keep working hard and improving."

Newbridge were punching above their weight at the start of the season but have had a few troubles of late with three losses on the spin, the latest at Glynneath.

Today they host a Bargoed side (kick-off 2pm) who are going in the opposite direction with the champions recovering from a wobbly start to show that they won't give up their crown without a fight.

It was a tight meeting between the teams at the Welfare Ground last season when the visitors enjoyed a 29-22 victory.

Other fixtures: Cardiff Met v Beddau, Narberth v Llanharan, RGC 1404 v Glynneath, Swansea v Merthyr, Tata Steel v Newcastle Emlyn