Ponty registered a bonus point home win by 33-14 against Aberavon on Tuesday evening to take them clear of the chasing pack as confirmed Premiership leaders. The only team that could have knocked them off their perch prior to that result were third placed Cross Keys, who are now battling for home advantage in the Play-Off semi finals.
Only seven days previous to the league clash at Pandy Park, Ponty and the Keys went head to head in a SWALEC Cup semi final tie at the Arms Park. Following a pulsating encounter, it was Pontypridd who took the verdict by 33-27. That victory doubled up on their home league win by 27-10 over the same opponents just before Christmas.
Not surprisingly in playing a third competitive game in the space of seven days, Pontypridd mix and match their selection for the Cross Keys encounter.
Having pulled up in training with a calf strain, prop Kieron Jenkins is ruled out of contention. Back into the fold comes scrum half Tomos Williams who had been away on Wales Sevens duties, and resumes a half back partnership with fellow Wales under 20 international Jarrod Evans.
Veteran flanker Wayne O’Connor takes over the captaincy as centre Dafydd Lockyer is given a rest.
Pontypridd; 15 Matthew Nuthall 14 Alex Webber 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Gary Williams 11 Owen Jenkins 10 Jarrod Evans 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Bradley Thyer 2 Aled Morris 3 Pat Palmer 4 Craig Locke 5 Alex Jones 6 Luke Crocker 7 Wayne O’Connor (Capt) 8Jordan Sieniawski.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Williams 17 Simon Humberstone 18 Dale Stuckey 19 Huw Dowden 20 Rhys Shellard 21 Dan Godfrey 22 James Howe 23 Dillon Lewis.
