Swansea lock Andy Moore is helped off the pitch

The home side gave their large crowd of supporters plenty to cheer in the first 20 minutes, particularly one run by Tongan prop Ngalu Ta'u.

There were worries for Wales coach Steve Hansen when Swansea lock Andy Moore hobbled off to be replaced by Jonathan Griffiths.

With Craig Quinnell out of the match against Italy, the last thing Hansen needed was another second row injury.

But it didn't alter the pattern of the game, with sturdy defence denying the All Whites.

And on the half-hour, Pooler surprised everyone by taking the lead through a Byron Hayward penalty after a good run by Gareth Taylor.

But straight from the kick-off, Swansea finally broke through.

Stuart Lawrence's clearance was charged down by Shaun Payne, and the winger pounced on the loose ball to touch down for Thomas to convert.

Once breached, it only took another five minutes before the home defence cracked again.

Arwel Thomas is held by Pontypool's Byron Hayward

Thomas delighted those pundits advocating his recall to the Wales side with a slicing break, and his long pass saw Steve Winn stroll home in the corner to make it 14-3 at half-time.

Pooler, with the wind at their backs, piled on the pressure after the interval as rain made Swansea's task even tougher.

They struggled to clear their lines in the conditions, and Hayward pulled three more points back with a long-range penalty.

After a host of substitutions, Hayward made it 14-9 and the home supporters began to sense a shock with 15 minutes left.

A kick from Nicky Lloyd earned Pontypool a scrum and flanker Cai Treharne drove through a disjointed Swansea defence to dive over. Hayward converted to make it 16-14 to the home side.

With Hayward dictating matters from fly-half, Pooler had no problems holding on for a momentous victory.

Pontypool: Try: C Treharne. Con: B Hayward. Pen: B Hayward (3).

Swansea: Tries: S Payne, S Winn. Cons: A Thomas (2).

Pontypool: S Lawrence; D Smith, S John, J Hawker, J Griffin; B Hayward, N Lloyd; A Phillips, L Jones, N Tau, G Taylor, M Powell, A Waldron, C Treharne, M Jones (capt).
Reps: C Landrey, G Jenkins, C Thomas, G Gunter, J Sulway, A Howarth, M Tuipuloto.

Swansea: K Morgan; S Payne, S Winn, S Gibbs, M Robinson; A Thomas, S Martens; D Morris, G Jenkins, B Evans, T Maullin, A Moore, C Charvis, G Lewis, D Thomas.
Reps: R Jones, G Henson, B Lima, J Masters, P Dunkley, J Griffiths, L Jones.