The two sides clashed in a Konica Minolta Cup tie at Sardis Road last weekend and will meet again at the same venue, in the league, next Wednesday. Ponty emerged as emphatic victors by 41 points to 11 in that cup game, but will have to pull out all the stops to get a result in the league clash away at Bridgend this Saturday.
A busy playing schedule saw Ponty in the meantime take on Llanelli in a home Principality Premiership fixture on Wednesday evening, coming back from the dead to claim a 33-29 win in a thrilling encounter. The precious league points harvested on the night were most welcome, but coming at a cost in terms of injuries and wear and tear to an overworked squad.
Out of contention for the trip to Bridgend are winger Kristian Baller with ankle damage, scrum half Rhys Downes with a knee injury, hooker Rhys Williams with bruised ribs and prop Ryan Harford with a fractured thumb. Lock Grant Harrington and flanker Lee Evans are both away on domestic leave whilst other squad members are rested.
Amongst the players recalled to the starting line up are winger Trystan Lazarus and outside half Neil Burnett, whilst No.8 Nathan Strong steps up to lead the Valley Commandos against his former club.
With competitive games coming in quick succession, Ponty’s training session on Thursday evening was cancelled, giving the players some valuable recovery time from their exploits against Llanelli.
Pontypridd: Matthew Hutchings; Chris Clayton, Gavin Dacey, Adam Thomas, Trystan Lazarus; Neil Burnett, Andrew Jenkins; Ian Poley, Duane Goodfield, Sam Hobbs, Ryan Savage, Chris Dicomidis, Geraint Lewis, Wayne O’Connor, Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements: Jason Pocock, Paul Matthews, Gareth McCarthy, Stuart Williams, Leighton Davies, Chris Martenko, Rhys Shellard
