There is a history, sometimes turbulent, sometimes glorious, of memorable cup ties between the two clubs going back to 1972 when the competition was launched. Ponty can look back to 2002, just before their fully professional status came to an abrupt end, to recall an epic cup final victory over the Scarlets.
Since then, during the semi professional era, there have been three ties between the clubs in five years, with Llanelli taking the result on each occasion, including an injury time knock out blow in the dramatic final of 2005.
The current Pontypridd squad will not dwell on the past as they prepare for a game which has huge implications for their capabilities of success this season. The cup is always important to Ponty, and is a definite target for the team this year.
Senior Coach Paul John was captain on the day of cup glory in 2002, and a hugely disappointed Assistant Coach in 2005, and who therefore knows what the tournament means to his club.
“We look forward to the trip down to Llanelli,” said John, “and we are confident that we have the ability to win there.
“We go into this cup tie on the back of two good league wins, and we know that with some self belief, our squad can do themselves justice to progress into the next round. A victory would do us some justice for our league game at Stradey earlier in the season, when we drew but should have won – this is as good an opportunity as any for us to clinch a very important win.”
Consistency will be the aim for the Pontypridd team following a hard fought away win in difficult conditions at Cross Keys last weekend, and there is consistency in the coaches’ selection policy for the Llanelli cup tie.
A solitary change in the starting line-up sees a senior debut for long term injury absentee, winger Gavin Close, who takes over from Kristian Baller. Recent recruit Gareth McCarthy continues at outside half, forming a pivotal partnership with industrious scrum half Andrew Jenkins.
The Ponty forward eight remain the same, with prop Ian Poley returning to bench duties following recent injury.
Pontypridd: Lawrence Price; Chris Clayton, Gavin Dacey, Adam Thomas, Gavin Close; Gareth McCarthy, Andrew Jenkins; Stuart Williams, Duane Goodfield, Ryan Harford, Ryan Savage, Chris Dicomidis, Geraint Lewis, Rhys Shellard, Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements: Matthew Hutchings, Neil Burnett, Kristian Baller, Ian Poley, Leighton Davies, Lee Evans, Wayne O’Connor
