PONTYPOOL RFC are offering their supporters free coach travel to this Saturday’s WRU Cup semi-final against Merthyr.

The club sealed their third consecutive Championship title last week with a dramatic last-gasp Matthew Lewis drop goal at Cardiff Met RFC to secure a dramatic 41-40 win. Pooler fans can now look forward to their WRU Cup semi final against Merthyr RFC at Eugene Cross Park in Ebbw Vale.

To boost the atmosphere in Ebbw Vale, Pooler are offering free coach travel to and from the game for travelling fans.

Pooler CEO Ben Jeffreys said that the offer was the club’s way of showing their appreciation to the supporters.

He said: “We’ve done this on a few occasions for some of our bigger games over the last few years.

“It’s our way of showing our appreciation to the supporters.

“They have stood by the club throughout the highs and lows of the years that we have been in charge.

“The support is growing all the time. We have been lucky that we still have that level of support.

“As this is a neutral venue, we wanted to make sure we could take as many of our supporters with us as possible.

“It will be a great occasion for the supporters. We have got to enjoy these moments.”

The Premiership and WRU Cup champions were the last side to beat Pooler in a competitive match, coming out as 21-6 winners in last season’s quarter final.

Mr Jeffreys said that the game provides an opportunity for the club to test how far they have progressed over the past year.

He said: “There is still some work to be done in terms of finishing the league as we would like, but it has been a fantastic season so far.

“It’s a great chance to see how much progress we have made since we played against them last.

“Merthyr are pretty much the best team in Wales at the moment.

“We want to be playing against the best teams and this is a good opportunity to test ourselves.

“There is no pressure on us. We are the underdogs.”

The club will be running free coaches from Trosnant Street in Pontypool and Cwmbran train station.

The coaches will be leaving both locations at 3.45pm on Saturday afternoon, before starting the return journey from Ebbw Vale at 8.15pm.

So far, more than 200 fans have registered for the coaches in just over two days - double the amount that the club would usually take, according to Mr Jeffreys.

This is the first time since 1991 that Pooler have reached the semi-finals of the cup.

This only adds to the success that the club have enjoyed in its 150th anniversary year, after also securing a third consecutive Championship title and a shot at promotion to the Premiership.

Pooler are on course for a second consecutive unbeaten season in the league, and with the off-field developments starting to take shape, there is an air of positivity around the club, it is a far cry from the club’s relegation to the Championship and brush with administration.

Supporters wishing to reserve a space on a coach are asked to email secretary Jamie Hallam on jamie.hallam@pontypoolrugby.co.uk.

In the email, please provide all passenger names and your pick-up/drop off location.

Orders will take up to 48 hours to be confirmed.