A New Year victory over Aberavon was enough to keep Ponty ahead of a chasing pack of clubs at the top of the table – those clubs having a game or games in hand, making it imperative for the Valley Commandoes to keep on winning to maintain momentum as league leaders.
Games between Ponty and Pooler have been close fought affairs over the past few seasons, making the ten league placings separating the two clubs meaningless as they once more go head to head. In their last encounter at Sardis Road in late September, Ponty secured a hard earned win by 24-13.
Pontypridd make five changes from the line up which started in the win over Aberavon. Scrum half Kristian Baller has been sidelined with an ankle injury, to be replaced by Garyn Lucas, who will form a half back partnership with Dean Gunter.
Young Rhydyfelin based prop Chris Phillips is given his chance, packing down alongside hooker Huw Dowden, with Jake Thomas coming in at blindside flanker.
Pontypridd 15.Adam Thomas. 14.Gareth Wyatt. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Garyn Lucas; 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Ken Knaggs. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Chris Dicomidis – cpt.
Replacements: Lewis Jones; Simon Humberstone; Chris Clayton; Ryan Harford; Tom Hetherington; Darren Waters; Owen Sheppeard.
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