Ponty have a minimum of four, a maximum of six competitive games still to play during the last month of the campaign, as they chase glory in the league and cup.
Currently in fourth position, Ponty are seven points adrift of Premiership leaders Llanelli, but with a vital two games in hand, one of which is the home encounter with Carmarthen.
The Quins themselves have had a great end to the season, holding sixth place in the table, with the Ponty game being their last. The Dyfed team will also be going for a season’s double over their hosts as they claimed a last gasp home win over Ponty by 27-26 back in February.
Pontypridd come into this league clash on the back of a hard fought SWALEC Cup semi final victory over Newbridge on Saturday. Team manager Richard Langmead is well aware that the demands on his squad are high, as are the expectations of success.
“The players know how much is at stake over the next few weeks and that gives them the impetus to up their efforts despite the obvious tiredness in playing so many games. We have achieved the one goal of a Cup final now we have to focus on the second goal of a Premiership Play-Off Final, and to go one better than last season by winning it. The aim is to keep relaxed, keep focussed, and keep winning.”
Selection for the Carmarthen game is again based on squad rotation with 10 changes made from the starting line up against Newbridge.
Pontypridd 15.Gareth Wyatt. 14.Lewis I Williams. 13.Adam Thomas. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Lewis K Williams. 9.Rhys Downes; 1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Chris Dicomidis (Capt).
Replacements: A.N.Other; Gary Williams; Harley Thomson; Darran Harris; Tom Hetherington; Jordan Sieniawski; Ken Knaggs.
