Ponty travelled to the Talbot Athletic Ground last Saturday and came unstuck in what was a classic ‘game of two halves’, yielding a 3-20 interval lead to ultimately lose by 29-27.
That result did not affect the two clubs’ league standings, Pontypridd clinging on to top spot and a resurgent Aberavon still in tenth place. It did however cause a stutter in Ponty’s quest for a second successive league title, and knowing that their games in hand over the chasing pack, of which the Aberavon return leg is one, must be won.
Ponty make no fewer than 11 changes in personnel from the starting line up against the Wizards on Saturday.
There is a welcome return in the centre for Gavin Dacey, making his comeback following long term injury.
Influential pivot Simon Humberstone resumes club duties from the Blues senior squad with Joel Raikes as his half back partner.
In the pack there is a new front row unit of Howe, Morris and Jones, with James Cashin in at lock and Luke Crocker and Wayne O’Connor filling the flanker berths. Blues lock Miles Normandale takes a place on the bench.
Pontypridd 15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Joel Raikes; 1.James Howe. 2.Aled Morris. 3.Lewis Jones. 4.Craig Locke – cpt. 5.James Cashin. 6.Luke Crocker. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Owen Sheppeard.
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Dai Flanagan. 18.Dafydd Lockyer. 19.Tom Hetherington. 20.Jordan Sieniawski. 21.Miles Normandale. 22.Chris Phillips. 23.Keiron Jenkins
