JUST one look at the mud-ridden Parc y Scarlets would have told you there was going to be none of the high-scoring end-to-end rugby these two teams produced in their two meetings last season.

In fact, both sides were fortunate that any rugby was played at all.

It was only the ground's undersoil heating that made this the only game to be played in the Welsh Premiership on Saturday.

It was never going to be pretty in the intense cold and incessant rain and so it proved, but Llanelli at least came out of it with the more memorable performance of a forgettable, error-strewn game.

The match was a world away from the two matches the clubs played out last season — Pooler won 46-40 at home before Llanelli hit back with a 47-45 victory down west.

For Llanelli, this is the time of year when they give young players a chance, with some of their more established players on duty with Wales Under-20s and with the Scarlets in the LV= Cup.

So step forward Joe Heatley, a young scrum-half from Tondu, who went a long way to helping Llanelli towards victory.

His kick to the corner set up the platform for the first try before he went over himself for the second. He would have been keen to show more but a hamstring injury meant he could not return after half-time.

But despite a poor second half, Llanelli director of rugby Anthony Buchanan was delighted with the overall performance.

"In the first half I thought it was an outstanding performance in the conditions. In the second half Pontypool came back into it and conditions deteriorated," he said.

"To be fair Pontypool aren't a bad side, but we stuck in there and worked industriously.

"Overall it was very satisfying and we've just got to push on. Bridgend on Saturday is another home game and in a way we are as new to this ground as some of the teams who visit!"

In the difficult conditions it was Llanelli who acclimatised much better, opening up a 17-0 lead at the interval.

A neat kick to the corner by Heatley gave his side the platform from which to score Llanelli's opening try on 19 minutes claimed by lock Joel Galley.

Pooler, who had lost their previous three matches, went further behind to a penalty from full-back Diggy Bird on 30 minutes.

And from the restart the Gwent outfit found themselves pinned back in their 22 again, and from a penalty at a scrum Heatley tapped and went in for the second try as Llanelli led 17-0 on 33 minutes.

Pontypool did play better in the second half and dug deep enough to produce a try on 75 minutes scored by captain and openside flanker Craig Attwell. That was cancelled out in injury time, however, with centre Jonny Lewis breaking free before wing Justin James went in for the home side's third try.

Llanelli : Tries: J. Galley, J. Heatley, J. James. Cons: D. Bird (3). Pen: D. Bird.

Team : D. Bird; B. Davies (R. Bayliss h-t), N. Reynolds, J. Lewis (D. Eager 83), J. James; O. Williams (D. Morgan 74), J. Heatley (G. Drewson h-t); R. Thomas, T. Wilson (T. Ball 58), A. Hopkins (S. Gardiner 62), A. Powell (capt), J. Galley (N. White 50), E. Price, A. Powell, C. Price.

Pontypool : Try: J. Attwell. Con: G. O'Driscoll.

Team : G. O'Driscoll; G. Williams, D. Robinson (A. Davies 70), J. Dixon, R. Owen; T. Hancock (R. Budina h-t), C. Morgan (M. Thomas h-t); D. Barlow (J. Jeunne h-t), R. Prosser (H. Gustafason 62), N. Blake, R. Jones, D. Critchley, R. Bowen (T. Organ 55), J. Thomas, C. Attwell (capt, M. Barber 83).

Referee : Gareth Butler (WRU).