Points have been squandered on visits to Aberavon and Llanelli, and at home to Ebbw Vale, in games that could just as well have been won, leaving Pontypridd adrift mid-table in the Principality Premiership.
The aim within the Ponty squad of course, is to put right a failure to turn pressure into points and to nail the result, and that task will commence in a home game against reigning champions and current league leaders Neath this Saturday, November 10th.
Needless to say Neath will provide Pontypridd with the ultimate challenge in their quest to prove themselves, the Welsh All Blacks having sustained standards of total professionalism in their play, in their marketing, and likewise in their wage bills, into the new semi professional era.
For Ponty this weekend it will be a case of, if wanting to be one of the best, then having to beat the very best.
The Neath game has come just too soon for some of Ponty’s recent injury victims; back rower Geraint Lewis suffering a reaction to a jarred neck, and winger Gavin Close (knee) and centre Lawrence Price (groin) not up to full fitness, the latter due to have a run out with Llantwit Fardre this weekend.
Young hooker Rhys Williams is a new addition to the casualty list, having undergone minor surgery on an ankle injury. Niggling injuries this week to winger Kristian Baller, fullback Jason Pocock and centre Adam Thomas will entail some selection decisions being left until closer to kick off time, but with Tom Riley returning to the centre berth following a slight groin strain.
Amongst the pack, Duane Goodfield and Ryan Harford in the front row, Grant Harrington at lock and Rhys Shellard at flanker are all drafted in to the Ponty starting line up.
Pontypridd:
15. Matthew Hutchings
14. Chris Clayton
13. Gavin Dacey
12. Tom Riley
11. Kristian Baller / Fionn McLaughlin
10. Neil Burnett
9. Andrew Jenkins
1. Stuart Williams
2. Duane Goodfield
3. Ryan Harford
4. Grant Harrington
5. Chris Dicomidis
6. Lee Evans
7. Rhys Shellard
8. Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements:
Adam Thomas / Kristian Baller
Rhys Downes
Ian Poley
Sam Hobbs
Leighton Davies
Ryan Savage
Wayne O’Connor
