IT was hardly ideal preparation for this Saturday’s big Swalec Cup game against Ebbw Vale as Newcastle Emlyn went down 27-13 against Pontypool in an entertaining Championship game at Pontypool Park.

A 12th defeat in 17 league games kept the Red and Whites four points above the relegation zone on level points with Bridgend Athletic and Newbridge.

But despite Pooler scoring four tries for a bonus point win Emlyn put up a spirited showing, never looked at any stage like being beaten heavily and with a little more rub of the green could have run their opponents far closer.

The visitors, who went down 40-19 against the Gwent side back in October, were left to rue normally reliable kicker Daniel Davies fluffing three penalties well within his range and throwing away a gilt-edged chance for a try just before the interval.

When Pooler opened the scoring with an early try by hooker and skipper Ben Parry it looked ominous for the visitors.

But the Teifisiders refused to capitulate and launched a number of attacks before Daniel Davies put them on the scoreboard with a spot on penalty.

AS Emlyn applied pressure midway through the half they were caught on the break when centre Sione Tu’ipulotu set up scrum-half Aaron Quick for a try converted by fullback Clayton Gullis.

The Red and Whites replied within three minutes with a cracking try by prop Emrys Davies after the ball passed through several pairs of hands. Davies again added the extras.

As halftime approached fullback Shaun Leonard had a great opportunity but with players on both sides he unaccountably failed to deliver a scoring pass.

Gullis extended the home advantage with a penalty early in the second half but Emlyn bounced back when awarded a penalty try which went unconverted.

Midway through the period referee Jon Hardy awarded Pooler a penalty try for a scrummaging offence and sin-binned Emlyn prop Emrys Davies. Gullis landed the conversion.

Leonard kicked a penalty before incessant Pooler pressure culminated in excellent flanker Rob Nash going over for a try and a bonus point win for the homesters.