Friday night’s clash between reigning Premiership champions Pontypridd travel and form team Llandovery is a case in point with the crunch tie at Church Bank kicking off at 7.30pm.
Llandovery currently sit in second place, equal on 39 points with league leaders Bedwas while Ponty lie third, two points behind but with a game in hand over their prospective opponents.
The battle for the league title is already a close fought one and the Friday night fixture at the home of the Drovers will be, if not a title decider, one of the key matches in the outcome of the Premiership.
Church Bank is a happy hunting ground for Pontypridd, who have only lost there twice in the semiprofessional era and last season secured an away double in the league and cup. A pre-season friendly in August also went Ponty’s way, albeit with a last gasp 19-20 win.
In such a vital game with both sides vying for the points, Ponty head coach Dale McIntosh realises that only a top quality performance from a full strength team will do to come away with the win required.
“We have recently had two tough games against Aberavon and Cross Keys and we made numerous squad changes in the process, always with one eye on this upcoming Llandovery fixture” he said.
“We will now put out the strongest line-up available to us and we do so in respect of our opponents, the way that they are performing and the calibre of player they have available.
“A Friday evening mid winter encounter will be difficult, but it will be the same for both sides and it is certainly one that we are relishing. It should prove to be a well contested match between two teams on top of their game and a great spectacle for the supporters.”
The latest injury victim for Pontypridd is scrum half Joel Raikes who has withdrawn with an ankle strain. Lloyd Williams is drafted in on permit from Treorchy to cover the position on the bench.
