NEWCASTLE Emlyn fought valiantly to the end in a 62-10 defeat against visiting Pontypool - and they not only defended well, but also looked to counter-attack at every opportunity against the Championship leaders.

In the end inequality in size was a telling factor. Pooler were direct and powerful, utilising their forwards to the best possible advantage as they hammered at the home side through phase after phase.

The fact that they had to go through numerous phases for most of their scores, however, is a testament to the home side’s clear commitment and determination.

Pooler nonetheless scored a total of nine tries, and their large following of fans left Dôl Wiber in a very happy frame of mind after notching a comprehensive victory.

Emlyn had actually opened the scoring with a penalty by wing Dan Davies when Pooler were penalised for playing the ball in an off-side position from the kick-off.

They were then subjected to a siege as the massive Pooler eight came at the home side relentlessly. Emlyn managed to defend their line against a series of forward drives, but eventually conceded a penalty kick in front of the posts, which outside half Kieron Meek converted.

With scrum half Aaron Quick box kicking accurately, they were soon on the attack again and added two further tries, one from a driving maul by hooker Ben Parry, and a second by captain, Rob Nash, with one of these converted by Meek.

From the restart, Emlyn managed to regain possession from the kick-off and the ball ended up in the hands of centre Teifion Davies, who ghosted past two would-be tacklers and accelerated away to score under the posts, for Davies to convert.

The hosts managed to obtain some possession, but on the half hour mark Pooler extended their lead with a try by winger Jordan Thomas, converted by Meek.

A couple of minutes later hooker Parry crossed for his second try, after a lovely flowing movement, and Meek converted.

Any thoughts the large crowd had that maybe Pooler would relax a bit in the second half, having already obtained the try bonus point, were quickly dispelled.

From the kick off they subjected the Emlyn line to a five minute barrage of attacks and finally Meek darted through for their fifth try, which he converted himself.

Emlyn refused to accept defeat and, with scrum half Mike Jones snapping at their heels, the pack bravely continued to take the game to the visiting defence.

Visiting scrum half Quick, however, crossed for another Pooler try, converted by Meek, and as injuries began to seriously take their toll Emlyn were forced to play the last 20 minutes with only 14 men.

That Pooler only added three more tries, courtesy of flankers Rob Nash and Mike Herbert and replacement scrum half Martin Luckwell, all converted by Meek, says a great deal about their commitment.

They need to maintain and build on this for next Saturday’s vital League encounter with Skewen, before they take a break for the Autumn International matches.