Free Press Sport

Pooler chief happy at opening win to campaign

11:40am Thursday 2nd September 2010

Pontypool RFC's Frank Stanton has revealed his pleasure at seeing the side get their Welsh Premiership campaign off to a winning start with a hard fought 27-16 victory against Bedwas.

"We are more than happy with four points from the weekend. It will be a huge psychological boost for the whole squad because Saturday's performance proved to everyone that their hard work over the pre-season has paid off." said the club's Managing Director.

It was the club's first opening day victory since returning to the league in 2008.

However Stanton is refusing to get carried away with the side gaining victory.

"We know there are still 25 games to go. All we are going to do is take one game at a time, with the target of being in the middle, or at worst, lower half of the table at Christmas clear of the relegation scrap.

"We've been there and we know if we can pick up points and teams below us fail to do so, then the pressure will be on them." said Stanton.

This weekend sees Pooler travel to Aberavon, their only away trip in the first month of the season, and the team can expect a much tougher challenge than the Bedwas fixture.

It is such a challenge that Stanton has admitted the club would probably see it as a success if they come away from the Talbot Athletic Ground with at least one bonus point.

"Aberavon are a tough, well disciplined team who have gone well before in the British and Irish Cup so it's going to be a real test for us. We will be looking to compete and pick up points where we can, as we will in every game."

One area which will certainly need to be improved against sterner opposition is the ability to take make chances, after the team squandered several in the second half.

Despite scoring three tries, Stanton told the Free Press that he wanted to see his team put in a much more concerted effort over the whole 80 minutes.

"The lads know that the second half was not satisfactory and that we can't afford to sit back in any fixture. The better teams will punish us.

"The attitude of Geraint (Morris) and the other senior players is what we need to replicate for the whole 80 but it was great to get off and running."

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