Despite losing four games in the first half of the season, Ponty will still go into the New Year on top of the table and Lockyer believes the tough times they have experienced so far will only serve to make them stronger in the second half of the campaign.
In his Christmas and New Year address to the Sardis Road fans, the veteran centre claims there is still all to
play for and that his side has its sights set firmly on a potential ‘treble’ this season of Premiership, SSE Swalec Cup and Foster’s Challenge Cup titles.
“A few short weeks ago it seemed to be all doom and gloom with many people writing off Ponty for the season. But the players and coaches have shown great character to pull things around and we’re still in with a shout for the league title, our SWALEC Cup campaign is about to start and we have every chance of progressing in the Foster’s Challenge Cup,” wrote Lockyer in a message that was posted on the club’s website.
“We went through a tough time during November, underperforming and losing games, but the outlook over the Christmas period and leading into the New Year has been much improved.
“A good run of form and results through December, including three straight wins over the ‘old enemy’ Cardiff has put us back in the reckoning, finishing the year on top of the league and with everything still to play for.
“The Boxing Day win over Cardiff was just massive, and the whole squad put in a big shift in very difficult conditions. We were glad that the game went ahead, for ourselves as players and for the big turn-out on the day.
“The squad is looking strong now with players returning from injury, the likes of Adam Thomas and Chris Dicomidis drafted in from the Blues and youngsters like Dafi Davies and Rob Jones joining in with big contributions.
“The return of Geraint Walsh has also been a big boost, providing us with options in the back line that maybe we didn’t have before.”
Only one point separates the top four teams in the Premiership table and Ponty will have their work cut out this weekend to hold on to the top spot when they entertain Newport on Saturday. The Black and Ambers have spent time on top of the table this season and have only slipped into fourth place because of their game at Cross Keys last weekend being postponed.
Lockyer’s side have lost four of their 13 games to date, whereas they slipped up only once in the 22 match regular season last winter. They lost five games, and had a draw, the season before and in 2012/13 they lost only once.
