Ponty have not achieved a run of three successes since the opening exchanges of the season back in September. Ponty’s inconsistencies have consigned them to mid table status through most of the season, but recent impressive victories at home to Neath and away to Maesteg have elevated them to fourth position – within striking distance of the league leaders.
Former regional partners Bridgend, with former fully pro players such as outside half Matthew Jones and lock Mike Powell in their ranks, will provide stiff resistance to Ponty’s aspirations. The Ravens lie just one place off the bottom of the Premiership listing, but having suffered a series of narrow results, and with the self belief to produce the goods against all comers.
Pontypridd have suffered a number of injuries in training this week, some minor, some of a more serious nature, which has hit their resources hard especially amongst the three-quarters. Winger Chris Clayton is the main casualty, having had an operation on a detached ligament in the foot which will keep him out of action for up to ten weeks. Fellow winger Fionn McLaughlin is also out with a gashed knee.
Amongst the centres, Gavin Davey is sidelined with a hip injury, whilst Tom Riley has suffered a recurrence of a long standing groin problem. Outside half Dylan Jones is another casualty with an ankle injury.
Amongst the forwards, hookers Duane Goodfield, with a calf strain, and Rhys Williams, still recovering from an operation on his foot, are out of contention, whilst prop Sam Hobbs has been withdrawn from club duties until January to train with the Wales U20 squad.
Coaches Paul John and Dale McIntosh are relieved to welcome back centre Lawrence Price and back rower Geraint Lewis from recent injuries to bolster their depleted ranks, with centre Tristan Lazarus from Treorchy and prop Gareth Jones from Caerphilly called up into the Ponty squad as cover.
Pontypridd:
15. Matthew Hutchings
14. Dan Hitchings
13. Lawrence Price
12. Paul Matthews
11. Kristian Baller
10. Neil Burnett
9. Rhys Downes
1. Stuart Williams
2. Leighton Davies
3. Ryan Harford
4. Ryan Savage
5. Chris Dicomidis
6. Geraint Lewis
7. Rhys Shellard
8. Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements from:
Andrew Jenkins
Tristan Lazarus
Adam Thomas
Gareth Jones
Ian Poley
Grant Harrington
Lee Evans
Wayne O’Connor
