There will be an inspection of the pitch on Saturday morning, but all the indications are that the game will be played. Meanwhile, the cup holders are negotiating a new date with Beddau and the WRU for their cup tie.
Aberavon are currently second in the Premiership and were 34-6 winners when the two teams met at the Talbot Atheltic Ground at the end of September. The Ravens have won four of their 14 league games to date, with all four wins coming back-to-back after six successive defeats at the start of the campaign.
Their good run started with a 34-20 bonus point win over Neath at The Gnoll on 17 October and that sparked successive triumphs over Cardiff (22-14), Bedwas (16-14) and Pontypridd (30-12) at the Brewery Field. Now head coach Mike Hook is looking to this weekend to kick-start another good home run.
When the two teams met in Pool 2 in the Foster’s Challenge Cup it was the Wizards who did the double and they will be hoping to complete a Premiership double this weekend as they seek to maintain the pressure on reigning champions Pontypridd at the top,
“We have now completed our group fixtures in the Fosters cup competition and while we would obviously have liked to qualify for the semi final stages, the positives gained far outweigh the negatives,” said Aberavon head coach Jason Hyatt.
“The young players who have been given opportunities during this competition have gained valuable experience and have all demonstrated that they are developing well within our environment, we must remember that several of these players still qualify to play rugby at youth level, so to play semi-professional rugby at such a young age is an achievement that deserves recognition.”
Llanelli will have revenge on their minds when Cross Keys travel to Parc y Scarlets this weekend having lost 58-22 at Pandy Park earlier in the season. With four wins in a row in all competitions behind them, Llanelli will be hopeful of extending their unbeaten run in what will be their first game at home since 26 November.
Cross Keys are currently fourth in the Premiership table, but are two games behind the leaders and five points adrift. The appalling weather has restricted them to one game since 5 December, although they are unbeaten in their last 10 Premiership outings after suffering successive defeats at the start of their campaign.
Cardiff host Neath at the BT Sport Arms Park on Saturday when they will hope to end a fun of five successive Premiership defeats that date all the way back to 6 November. Their last victory in the Premiership was against Newport on 31 October.
Fifth placed Newport, who also have two games to make up on the leaders, travel to Bedwas, while Ebbw Vale welcome the current Premiership leaders Llandovery at Eugene Cross Park. Carmarthen Quins host reigning champions Pontypridd.
Principality Premiership Fixtures – 30 January
Bedwas v Newport
Bridgend v Aberavon
Cardiff v Neath
Carmarthen Quins v Pontypridd
Ebbw Vale v Llandovery
Llanelli v Cross Keys
