Preview: Principality Premiership
The results of a Welsh Rugby Union Disciplinary Sub Committee meeting held at the Millennium Stadium on Tuesday, 4 December, are:
Four sides remain in the race for the Championship with Neath, Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd and Newport capable of topping the league in one of the closest run-ins of recent years. Reigning Champions Neath travel to the Arms Park on Saturday to front up to Konica Minolta Cup semi-finalists Cardiff. Rowland Phillips’s side saw-off Cross Keys 11-22 last weekend to regain top spot and a win against the Blue and Blacks on their own turf would ensure the Welsh All Blacks remain on course for a record third Championship in as many years.
Second from bottom Maesteg go head to head with third placed Pontypridd with both sides desperate for three points, but for very different reasons. The Old Parish are level on points with bottom placed Llandovery with a game in hand and need three points to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation. Simon King’s Pontypridd hold a game in hand over table topping Neath and could still crash the Welsh All Black’s title bid. Three points on Saturday would keep Ponty on track for a first league title since winning the Welsh National League in 1997.
Konica Minolta Cup semi-finalists Llandovery come down to earth with a bump when they return to league action on Saturday with a must-win game against visiting Swansea. Despite reaching heady heights in the cup the Drovers find themselves bottom of the pile in the league with the possibility of relegation looming and games running out. Three points are a must for struggling Llandovery against a side six points above them and all but assured of their top flight status next term.
At the Memorial Ground, Glamorgan Wanderers clash with second placed Ebbw Vale who will be desperate for a win to prove they are still in the title race. The Steelmen are level on points with leaders Neath and one point ahead of third placed Pontypridd although both sides have games in hand. A win on Saturday would ensure it remains close at the top in a four-horse title race that could go right to the wire.
In the day’s other fixtures, at the Talbot Athletic Ground Aberavon play host to Cross Keys and Konica Minolta Cup semi-finalists Bridgend take on Bedwas at the Brewery Field.
