BEN Parry has played in the Principality Premiership before but leading Pontypool back into the top tier of Welsh club rugby after a four-year hiatus would be really special.

A win at Bargoed on Saturday (2.30pm) and Pooler are there – lose and they face the real risk of at least another three years in the Swalec Championship.

Their destiny remains in their own hands, however, defeat against the Blues would leave them sweating on the outcome of RGC 1404’s last two matches.

Pooler, Bargoed and RGC are vying to join Merthyr and Swansea in a revamped Premiership, which the Welsh Rugby Union have ring-fenced for the next three years.

The three clubs challenging for promotion know three into two won’t go.

Third-placed Pontypool are two points better off than Bargoed and seven clear of RGC, although both of them have two fixtures left, as opposed to Pooler’s one.

“We have worked too hard all season to let it slip now,” said Parry.

“We’ve been in the Championship for four years and everyone at the club has wanted to get back into the Premiership.

“It would be massive for the club and town because everyone has worked so hard.

“This club has a massive history in the top flight of club rugby in Wales and that’s where we want to be.”

If Pooler don’t make it then they will look back on last Saturday’s 20-17 loss to RGC as a pivotal moment in their season.

Reflecting on that and looking ahead to Saturday, Parry, who has played in the Premiership with Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale, added: “We were obviously disappointed we didn’t get the job done last Saturday but we’ve got another opportunity to take our place back in the Premiership.

“We thought we had done enough to win the game against RGC but we didn’t get the bounce of the ball which we sometimes do get.

“I had to pick the players up a little bit and remind them what is at stake, and we know we have got to work harder than ever to try and get the win a Bargoed.

“Everyone is excited for the game and we’ve all worked hard in training this week to make sure we get the result we need.

“It’s going to be a tough ask because they are a good side and we’ve got to go toe-to-toe with them.”

Elsewhere, Newbridge, who have climbed to seventh place, host Tata Steel in their penultimate game of the season on Saturday (2.30pm).

Championship: Bargoed v Pontypool, Glynneath v Bridgend Athletic, Newbridge v Tata Steel, Newcastle Emlyn v Beddau.