PONTYPOOL coach Mike Hook cut a wet and frustrated after his side's bid to climb to second place in the Championship was scuppered by the weather, writes Chris Kirwan.

Pooler's home encounter with Llanharan passed a morning pitch inspection on Saturday but was postponed less than half an hour before kick-off.

Referee Richard Brace walked the pitch and gathered representatives of both sides on the halfway line before, with the visitors reluctant to play, the call was made.

The hosts were undoubtedly keener to play despite the heavy conditions and were irritated by the late postponement (although not with the official).

However, a biblical downpour at the scheduled 2.30pm start would have led to a farcical encounter and would have prompted fears of being able to complete the full 80 minutes.

It means Pooler remain third in an increasingly tight battle to finish as runners-up behind champions-elect Ebbw Vale. Six points separate Narberth in second and Tata Steel in seventh.

"We didn't set targets from the start but we knew that we had to be a lot more consistent than last season," said head coach Mike Hook.

"We decided to assess things at Christmas and we're building some momentum and have a real chance to get that second spot. The boys are still learning and are maturing week on week.

"It was disappointing that we didn't have the chance to get another win but we'll get back into things at training on Tuesday and start work towards another important game at Bonymaen.

"The club is buzzing on and off the field. It's a brilliant environment to be involved in and things are really building. We've come a long way in 12 months."

Pooler will head to bottom club Bonymaen with a five-match unbeaten league run.