BEDWAS supremo Stefan Sankala says it’s “full steam ahead” for Pontypool in their pursuit of the Premiership, but he insists his side will be doing all they can tonight to “take the tracks from under them”.

The Pooler promotion express hasn’t looked like slowing down since the Championship season started in September, with no-one yet able to derail Leighton Jones’ charges.

And it needed Carmarthen Quins, one of the top flight’s best teams, to end their run in the National Cup last weekend.

It has been perfection for Pontypool in the league so far, the reigning champions picking up an incredible 74 points out of a possible 75 – Bargoed have been the only side to deny them a bonus-point win.

Pooler have won all 15 fixtures to date, scoring 50 points or more on a regular basis, but tonight sees them tackle Bedwas for the first time this term.

“It’s obviously a really tough one for us,” said Sankala. “We are trying to be the first team to beat them in the league in three years, so no added motivation is needed.

“We’ve been trying to analyse their game and look for things we can exploit, but many teams have done the same and failed.

“They are very well-oiled and efficient. They have 20-odd players who are an eight out of 10 every week, and everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.

“Their set-piece is very strong, as is their kicking game, and they have been quite consistent in their approach all season so will not rest on their laurels.

“It’s full steam ahead for Pontypool but we’ll try and take the tracks from under them.”

Bedwas, in third, have two matches in hand on Pooler and second-placed Bargoed but are 20 points off top spot.

“In the grand scheme of things, we have to win at Pontypool and hope other sides can slow their momentum if we have any chance of going up this season,” added Sankala.

“I do feel there are sides that can have a say on the outcome of this league.”

With Pontypool chief Jones continuing his recovery from illness, backs coach Tom Hancock, defence coach Andrew Quick and head of performance Rhys Dyer will take charge of the team for the second game running.

“The boys want to right some wrongs so the shorter the turnaround the better,” said Dyer, after the agonising 21-17 cup loss to the Quins.

“They will be eager to get back out there and get back to winnings ways.”