PONTYPOOL made a winning start to the defence of their WRU National Championship crown when they travelled to newly-promoted Ystrad Rhondda, overcoming spirited hosts at Gelligaled Park, writes Ray Ruddick.

Ystrad Rhondda played well in both east play-off games at the end of last season in defeating Brynmawr and earn promotion to the Championship.

Ystrad also caught the eye against Pontypool with their tenacity and determination, and the home outfit was the better side in the first half.

They won the early exchanges, both in territory and possession, as they put their visitors under pressure but Pooler's defence was up to the challenge.

In the 15th minute, with play inside Ystrad's 22, Pooler went through several phases after which the ball went right and wing Lewis Prothero squeezed in the corner for an unconverted try.

Midway through the first half Pontypool's second row Ben Sparks was yellow carded for not rolling away at a ruck under the visitors' posts. Ystrad's full back Corey Shephard stepped up to slot the relatively easy goal.

With just under five minutes to go before the break, Pontypool were penalised for holding on inside their half on Ystrad's right but the attempt at goal went across the face of the posts and the champions led 5-3 at half-time.

In the first minute of the second half Pooler were again penalised for holding on 30 metres from their goal line in front of the posts and Shephard put his side 6-5 in front.

Six minutes later Ystrad was penalised for not releasing just outside their 22 in front of the posts and visiting outside half Matthew Jones slotted the kick at goal to put Pooler back in front 8-6.

In the 52nd minute Pontypool were awarded a penalty on their right just outside the home 22.

The visitors took a quick tap through scrum half Martin Luckwell, the home side didn't retreat the required 10 metres and Ystrad's loose head prop Tom Foulkes was sin binned.

Three minutes later Pontypool were awarded a penalty try after a scrum near the home line as the Ystrad eight splintered following a powerful surge by the Pontypool pack.

Just after the hour mark Pooler managed to get the ball away from a retreating scrum on Pooler's left just outside the Ystrad's 22.

Pooler's new full back Geraint Walsh chipped ahead, the ball ricocheted off a home player, Pontypool's centre Clayton Gullis gathered well and scored a try near the posts. Kieran Meek added the extras to make it 22-6.

Back came impressive Ystrad in the 65th minute when left wing Jarrad Llewellyn broke through the Pooler defence to score a try to the right of the posts and Corey Shephard slotted a fine conversion to cut the gap to 22-13.

In the 73rd minute Ystrad were in possession on their 10-metre line but the ball went loose. Pontypool's left wing Rhodri Usher picked up and sprinted 40 metres for Pooler's bonus-point try, converted by Kieran Meek for a 29-13 lead.

It was Ystrad who deservedly scored the last try of the game.

With over six minutes of injury time played, the home side were pressuring the Pooler defence with some forward drives on Ystrad's right.

The ball went left and replacement Aron Clarke scored a well-constructed try in the left corner. The conversion failed for a final score of 29-18 to Pooler.

The Rhondda Valley men were very impressive and will be a difficult side to beat, particularly on their home ground, if they produce performances like this one.

As for Pooler, their game was a little rusty and disjointed at times but to come away from Gelligaled Park with a hard-earned bonus-point win in the circumstances was a good result and credit to the players as they kept working until the end.

Pooler host Tata Steel on Saturday.

Pontypool: Geraint Walsh, Lewis Prothero, Clayton Gullis, Kieran Meek, Rhodri Usher, Matthew Jones (replaced by Ceri Morris), Martin Luckwell (replaced by Dan Davies), Kyan Best, Lewis Ball (replaced by Alex Watkins), Ollie Drake (replaced by Craig Price), Danny Hodge (replaced by Brendan Lampitt), Ben Sparks, Rob Nash (captain), Scott Matthews and Jordan Williams.

Pontypool scorers: Tries by Lewis Prothero, Clayton Gullis, Rhodri Usher and a penalty try. Conversions by Kieran Meek (2). Penalty by Matthew Jones.

Ystrad Rhondda scorers: Tries by Jarrad Llewellyn and Aron Clarke. Conversion by Corey Shephard. Penalties by Corey Shephard (2).