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Date Posted: 05:37:53 05/06/02 Mon
Author Host/IP: inktomi2-bir.server.ntl.com/62.255.32.5
Pontypool 81 Whitland 16
PONTYPOOL banished memories of their humbling defeat against Whitland last autumn and with it laid down the gauntlet to title rivals Aberavon with a glittering display at the Park on Saturday.
Pooler cooked up the sweetest of try feasts for their fans who turned out in force, despite the FA Cup Final, for this crucial league fixture. And in glorious conditions the Red, Black and Whites didn't disappoint as they trounced Whitland with 13 tries to record their highest points score of the season and with it reclaim their place at the top of Division One.
In a match blemished by only two Whitland scores Pooler gave their biggest hint yet that they are ready for top flight Welsh rugby. Tactically they showed all the hallmarks of an SAS crack unit - focused on victory first and scoring tries later.
Superior fitness meant this was ultimately a stroll in the park for the promotion hopefuls.
After a succession of gain-line-breaking mauls and drives Pooler's forwards found the time and space to join the ever confident attacking backline as it continually punished Whitland's fragile and often heated defence.
So rattled were the West Wales outfit that hooker Steve Gerrard was sin binned close to half time for persistent offending.
They were never in this game despite netting two tries and Pooler knew it, leading at half time 43-6 thanks to seven tries.
Man of the half was the electric Lennie Woodard. The unstoppable winger haunted Whitland and bagged a hat trick of tries to the delight of the home fans.
Woodard's speed and strength posed Whitland all sorts of problems as their tackles were in vain.
Full back Stuart Lawrence, captain and number eight Mark Jones, centre Stephen John and lock Gareth Taylor all chipped in with similar scores of their own as Pooler showed no signs of stepping off the accelerator.
Centre Ben Jeffries was one of the game's big success stories. In both halfs he provided valuable space and time with his crunching gain line breaks. Renowned for his power he also showed good turns of speed, especially after the break when he blazed up field with a scorching break. Nicky Lloyd was in support to finish the lighting move to score one of his side's seven second half tries.
Wing Woodard added two to his tally - the best when he burst through a hapless Whitland defence from deep to jet over. Lock Taylor got his brace as Pooler slipped into cruise control. Alongside Mike Powell the pair ruled the roost in the lineout providing the platform for Jeffries and John both to score tries.
In recent weeks Pontypool have looked unbeatable. And with just one game left and sitting pretty at the top of the table they look to have peaked at just the right time.
Pontypool - S Lawrence (40 D Smith), L Woodard, B Jeffries, J Hawker, S John, B Hayward, N Lloyd (G Jenkins 75), A Phillips (G Jenkins 52), C Thomas, L Mustoe, G Taylor, M Powell (K Faletau 52), M Tu'ipulotu (A Howarth 52) C Trayhern, M Jones (S Waldron 50m)
Scorers: tries - L Woodard 5, S John 2, G Taylor 2, S Lawrence, B Jeffries, N Lloyd, M Jones. Cons - B Hayward 8.
Whitland - W Lewis, S Bitchers, D Setaro, S Tuihalamaka (R Davies 65m), G Morris, D Griffiths, R Phillips, G Williams, S Gerrard, D Jones, A Jakeman, D Ebsworth, R Norton, R Williams, D Thomas.
Scorers: tries - S Butchers, G Williams. Pen - D Griffiths. Drop Goal - D Griffiths.
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