Two of those clubs go head to head in a six pointer clash on Friday March 14th, as third placed Pontypridd travel to fourth placed Ebbw Vale, the game kicking off at 7:15pm. Ponty go into this crucial tie on the back of a narrow home win but a poor display against Bedwas last weekend, with the coaches and squad aware that an improvement is needed to get a result up at Ebbw Vale.
“The boys want to make amends for the Bedwas match,” explained Ponty Assistant Coach Dale McIntosh, “as we put in a below par performance and failed to put points on the board. We should have scored tries in that match, but we played too laterally and failed to make the most of our chances. We simply can’t afford to make the same mistakes against Ebbw.”
McIntosh, whilst confident of his own team’s ability to strike back, is also respectful of the challenge presented by a strong Ebbw Vale team, representing another traditional valleys club.
“Ebbw, like us, are producing a lot of home grown talent” said McIntosh, “and are working hard for their success. They have been hugely consistent over the past two years, and beat us at Sardis earlier in the season, although that result could have gone our way.
“Ebbw Vale is always a difficult place to go, and we know that we will have to work hard to get a result, but know also that if we get it right, then we have the ability to succeed.”
Injuries and international call ups have again had an impact on Ponty’s selection for this match. Scrum half Rhys Downes and hooker Rhys Williams are away with Wales U18 and prop Sam Hobbs is with Wales U20. Wingers Gavin Close (knee) and Chris Clayton (shoulder) are out injured, as is hooker Duane Goodfield (ribs) and flanker Rhys Shellard (calf).
A new look wing pairing of Neil Burnett and Owen Williams, on permit from Blackwood, will spearhead Ponty’s backline attack, with outside half Dai Flanagan continuing his comeback from injury in the pivot’s role.
Amongst the forwards there are rotational changes as Geraint Lewis comes in at No.8, with Chris Martenko at lock and props Ian Poley and Ryan Harford returning to the front row.
Pontypridd:
15. Matthew Hutchings
14. Neil Burnett
13. Gavin Dacey (Capt)
12. Adam Thomas
11. Owen Williams
10. Dai Flanagan
9. Andrew Jenkins
1. Ian Poley
2. Leighton Davies
3. Ryan Harford
4. Chris Martenko
5. Ryan Savage
6. Lee Evans
7. Wayne O’Connor
8. Geraint Lewis
Replacements:
Gareth McCarthy
Kristian Baller
Owen Cotton
Stuart Williams
Lee Pearce
Grant Harrington
Nathan Strong
