2008 has got off to a bright and breezy start for Pontypridd, stringing together a run of three consecutive wins in cup and league. This fixture will be played on Friday evening (February 8th), with a 7:15pm kick off, due to the resumption of the Six Nations tournament on Saturday.
Pontypridd are placed fourth in the Premiership, on 43 points, with Aberavon placed fifth, two points adrift but with a crucial game in hand. Needless to say, both sides will have all to play for, and with Ponty also seeking to avenge an away defeat by 23 points to 12 at Aberavon last October.
There will be some extra spice added to the mix of this contest as former Ponty Coach Simon King returns to Sardis Road for the first time in his similar role with Aberavon, aided by his Wizard’s apprentice, former Ponty scrum half Nicky Lloyd. Familiarity on this occasion will breed a mutual respect.
Although retaining the core of the team who have won their last three games, Pontypridd coaches Paul John and Dale McIntosh have made some changes to their selection, some enforced, some voluntary.
Fullback Lawrence Price is ruled out with a recurrence of a groin strain, his place taken by Matthew Hutchings, whilst prop Sam Hobbs is called away on Wales U20 duties. Kristian Baller resumes on the wing for Ponty, with a rotation of personnel in the back row seeing a new combination of Lee Evans at blindside, Wayne O’Connor at openside and Geraint Lewis at No 8.
On the bench, centre Paul Matthews makes a return from recent injury, whilst scrum half Rhys Downes and hooker Rhys Williams are back following a stint with the Wales U18 squad.
Pontypridd:
15. Matthew Hutchings
14. Chris Clayton
13. Gavin Dacey
12. Adam Thomas
11. Kristian Baller
10. Gareth McCarthy
9. Andrew Jenkins
1. Stuart Williams
2. Duane Goodfield – Capt
3. Ryan Harford
4. Ryan Savage
5. Chris Dicomidis
6. Lee Evans
7. Wayne O’Connor
8. Geraint Lewis
Replacements:
Paul Matthews
Neil Burnett
Rhys Downes
Ian Poley
Rhys Williams
Nathan Strong
Rhys Shellard
