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Pontypool 39-27 Bargoed, WRU National Championship

Bargoed missed out on the chance to boost their hopes of Premiership rugby next season with a defeat at fellow-promotion hopefuls Pontypool.

The Bulls made the short trip to Pontypool Park on Saturday, November 12, with both sides sitting high in the table.

Despite storming into a 20-point lead at one point, Bargoed were on the wrong end of a comeback as Pontypool scored six tries for a bonus-point win.

Bargoed opened the scoring through a Steffan Jones penalty, before No8 Tom Rice extended the lead with a try in the corner – which Jones converted to send the visitors 10-0 up.

The lead was further increased when winger Dylan Williams scored out wide, with Jones once again adding the extras.

Half way through the first half, a Jones penalty sent Bargoed 20-0 ahead, but the hosts soon bit back.

Centre Pat Lewis got Pontypool onto the scoresheet three minutes later, with the conversion coming from the boot of Matthew Jarvis.

Jarvis further cut into Bargoed’s lead on the 35th minute, sending his penalty kick through the posts.

Minutes later, winger Deon Smith scored out wide, Jarvis converted and the teams went into the break with just three points between them.

The tie was levelled eight minutes into the second half through another Jarvis penalty kick.

Having shipped 27 unanswered points, Bargoed retook the lead when flanker Keaton Davies crossed over for a try. Jones converted to give Bargoed a 27-20 lead.

The scoreboard remained unchanged until the hour mark, when Pontypool drew back level after being awarded a penalty try after Bargoed collapsed a driving maul. Bargoed flanker Lewis Johnson saw yellow as a result.

As the clock ticked away, Pontypool finally took the lead as Deon Smith scored his second try of the afternoon. Jarvis was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt however, meaning a converted try would have restored Bargoed’s lead.

But it wasn’t to be. After 88 minutes of play, Pontypool went on the attack and it was Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths who forced his way over the line to put the result beyond all doubt.

Jarvis converted to secure a 39-27 victory for Pontypool to keep the pressure on league leaders Neath – with a game in hand over the Welsh All Blacks.

The defeat sees Bargoed remain third in the table, six points adrift of Pontypool in second and eight points off top.

Bargoed return to action on Thursday, November 24 when they welcome Caerphilly County Borough rivals Bedwas to Bargoed Park for a 7.15pm kick-off.