WITH his side’s last two games coming against fellow promotion hopefuls Bargoed and RGC 1404, skipper Ben Parry knows just how important Pontypool’s next three fixtures are for the club.

Pooler host Swalec Championship strugglers Glynneath tomorrow before they travel to Tata Steel and then Bridgend Athletic.

They then finish off their season against RGC 1404 at Pontypool Park on April 23 and complete their campaign away to Bargoed seven days later.

Five teams are competing for four places in next season’s Principality Premiership and the one thing Pooler have that RGC 1404 and Bargoed don’t is that their fate is in their own hands.

Top two Swansea and Merthyr have all but secured promotion, something which could well be confirmed for both clubs after tomorrow’s matches.

Pontypool returned to winning ways last weekend with a 38-17 defeat of Cardiff Met at home, that coming on the back of losses against Merthyr and RGC 1404.

Glynneath, one from bottom in the table, haven’t played in the league for nearly a month.

“We’ve had a good week in training and now we’re looking forward to a tough game against Glynneath,” said Pooler captain Parry.

“After two defeats, getting a win last weekend builds confidence and the next three games are big with our last two against RGC 1404 and Bargoed.

“Promotion is in our hands but we’ve got to make sure we keep winning. We’re almost there but we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Flanker Rob Nash returns to the fold for Pooler this weekend after missing the last couple of games through concussion.

Nash comes back into a side that Parry was happy to see respond well last time out.

“It’s good to have Rob back because he brings a lot of experience with him,” added hooker Parry.

“Our defence is very good at the moment and our scrum and lineout are better.

“Every time we got the ball against Cardiff Met we looked dangerous and we want to continue that for the rest of the season.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, leaders Swansea go to Beddau, second-placed Merthyr visit rock bottom Llanharan, Bargoed are at Newcastle Emlyn and RGC 1404 entertain Narberth.