Mike Herbert insists you can never write Pontypool off after they came from behind to beat Bargoed at Bargoed Park.
In the two previous meeting against the Bulls this season, Pontypool have fallen behind but produced sensational comebacks to claim a bonus-point victory at Pontypool Park in the WRU Admiral National Championship before doing the same again in the quarter-finals of the WRU Championship Cup.
Pooler then completed a hat-trick after succumbing to early Bargoed pressure, going down 14-0 in the early stages.
Deon Smith pulled a try back before the break before second-half tries from Ashley Sweet, Sam Scarfe and Joel Mahoney ensured Pooler left with all five points.
Back row Herbert couldn’t pinpoint the reason why Bargoed seem to rack up the points in the first half when they play Pooler but praised the fight in the team as they always come back strong.
“I don’t know if it is the nerves or if it is just one of those things,” he admitted.
“Silly penalties and different things just allowed them to build into the game.
“I’m not sure if it was the eagerness to want to make the big tackles and carries but it does put us on the back foot going into half time.
“As a team we know we will fight until the end, we have that belief in ourselves and we know we are willing to work and go to war for each other, sometimes things don’t go our way, it’s just about riding that out and getting over the line.
“Every opportunity you’ve got to take in this type of game. It really set the tone then when we scored that try in the second half.
“You can never write the boys off; you never know what’s going to happen.
“We work hard, we train hard, we’ve got that togetherness that carries us through right until the end even when it’s tough.”
Focus now switches to Sunday when Pontypool will take to the Principality Stadium pitch to face Ystrad Rhondda in the WRU Championship Cup final.
“It’s a massive day for the club,” continued Herbert.
“It’s something to look forward to.
“With rugby you’ve got some boys at the age of retiring, some boys could be leaving for other clubs, you never know when it comes to the end of the season.
“We’ve worked hard all year. Not many people get the opportunity to play at the stadium.
“Hopefully, I’ll be in the team.”
