Pontypool have received glowing praise on social media after missing out on potentially winning promotion to the Indigo Premiership and urged the public to back the government campaign to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Pooler were for a number of years denied a return to the highest level of the club game in Wales by it being ring-fenced despite dominating the division below it with three consecutive titles.
A promotion play-off was introduced last season but the famous Gwent club lost a play-off with Premiership outfit Llanelli and remained in the Specsavers National Championship.
They are top of the table this campaign and unbeaten in their 16 league fixtures with Bargoed, who have lost one and drawn one, five points behind in second with both clubs having 10 matches left and a big clash on the horizon before the season was curtailed by the Welsh Rugby Union.
Pontypool have won a staggering 81 of their last 82 regular season league matches spread over four seasons and were favourites for automatic promotion, which had been brought back, to the Premiership at the end of the campaign.
But they have accepted the decision of the WRU to scrap all promotion and relegation during the most serious crisis the world has faced since the end of the Second World War with good grace.
Their action has won the backing of Pooler supporters and those of other teams, rival clubs, rugby reporters and the public.
“Whilst we are all absolutely devastated that we will not be able to complete the season and realise our dream of achieving promotion to the Indigo Premiership, we fully understand the WRU’s position and support them in the decision they have reached,” said Pontpool in a club statement.
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“Although the decision will be incredibly disappointing for supporters, we would ask everybody connected to Pontypool RFC to support the WRU at this incredibly challenging time.
“We have all worked so hard in recent years to once again make Pontypool RFC a vibrant and successful club, but we recognise that sport must take a backseat until the COVID-19 pandemic has stabilised.
“As much as we want to be a Premiership club, it is far more important that our squad, staff, volunteers and supporters remain healthy in the long term and we would urge everyone to follow the government’s guidance on social distancing and protecting older people and vulnerable adults.
“In light of this guidance, Pontypool Park will remain closed and no further club events will take place until further notice.
“Please be assured that the club will still be there for all of us to enjoy in the future and we will go again.
“Until then, please take care and look after each other in the weeks and months ahead.”