The Sardis Road side could become just the second club in Welsh club rugby’s history to win a trio of straight titles. The All Black conquering Llanelli side were the first to complete the feat in the first three seasons of cup action.
But if there is one side Ponty did not want to face, it would be the Ravens, who are the only side to beat the runaway league leaders this season. The Valleys side booked a place in the 1979 final re-run with triumphs over Bargoed, Ebbw Vale, Llandovery and a semi-final success over Cross Keys at the Arms Park.
And Lockyer, who could join Phil Bennett and Ray Gravell in the annals of Welsh rugby, insists complacency will not be a factor in their fifth straight Millennium meeting.
He said: “Everyone’s fit and looking forward to it. The coaches have the hardest job because they are the ones who have to pick the team for the big day out. We’ve both beaten each other this season so they know that, on their day, they can beat us if we are not at our best.
“We’ve been in the final five times on the bounce now but it’s never the same, it’s always a very different experience and the boys are really looking forward to hopefully making it three-in-a-row. It’s a great incentive for the boys seeing as they’ve already beaten us, so nobody will be over confident and expecting a win.”
Underdogs Bridgend are ready to spoil Pontypridd’s big day out after storming into SSE SWALEC Finals Day with victories over Cardiff, Llanharan, Merthyr and Carmarthen Quins. They last appeared in the club rugby showpiece back in 1980 when they overcame Swansea 15-9. And Coach Mike Hook reckons anything can happen in a one-off occasion.
He said: “They are a very good side, but we are the only team to beat them this season and we will take a lot of heart from that. It’s a one off game and anything can happen.
“We know how to beat them this year and I am sure that will be in the back of their minds as well as ours.
“We matched their physicality in that game and that’s something we will need to do again on Sunday. We’ve been getting punished for the errors we have been making but we have been working hard on that.”
SSE SWALEC Finals Day, Sunday 3 May, Millennium Stadium
1pm SSE SWALEC Bowl Final Cambrian Welfare v Ystradgynlais
3.15pm SSE SWALEC Plate Final Ystrad Rhondda v Newcastle Emlyn
5.35pm SSE SWALEC Cup Final Bridgend v Pontypridd
Tickets £10 (Under 16s £5)
Go to wru.wales/tickets for print at home option available until 10am Sunday. Tickets also availbale to personal callers from WRU Ticket Shop on Westgate Street including matchday
