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Premiership in focus: Bedwas v Pontypridd

Premiership in focus: Bedwas v Pontypridd

The two top sides in the Principality Premiership clash at the Bridge Field on Saturday as Bedwas welcome Pontyrpridd.

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With the Sardis Road club having already secured top spot and therefore a home draw in the play-off final, it could be said tomorrow’s game is more important for the home side as they look to secure their place in the play-off semi-final. 

But with consecutive games against Bedwas and then Llanelli, Pontypridd can still have a real say in who reaches that semi-final.

Bedwas and Llanelli are currently in the box seat, though following the latter’s midweek defeat to Neath, Llandovery are very much still in the mix.

And with three teams competing for just two spots, the end to the Premiership season promises a nail biting climax. 

“It’s very exciting and it’s something to focus on, it builds energy around the club with the players, staff and supporters,” said Bedwas head coach Steve Law on the season’s finale.

“Most importantly, our destiny is still in our own hands. It was always going to be tight.”

The Gwent outfit finish their season with a home clash against Llandovery next week and whatever tomorrow’s result, Law reckons that game will decide his side’s destiny.

“The game against Llandovery on the last day of the season will be key whatever happens against Pontypridd. They have three games left and we have two,” he said.

“Both teams will be giving it everything tomorrow, I’ve got no doubts about that and it will come down to who is the best technically and tactically. That will decide the result of the game.

“Each side will be motivated to play an attacking game though I’d like to think home advantage may be something in our favour.

“We’re looking forward to it and we’ll be giving it everything we’ve got.”

Knowing a win against the league leaders would all but secure a semi-final spot, Bedwas are without a number of key men as they feature for the Newport Gwent Dragons against Munster tonight.

Matthew Pewtner and Lewis Robling both start at Rodney Parade leaving Law to bring in a number of new faces. He does though, see the move as a compliment for both his side, and the Premiership as a whole.

“We’ve had a close link up with the Dragons this season and a number of boys who have represented us are playing for them against Munster tonight,” he said.

“It means we’re without a number of our key men but we’ve got to take it as a compliment. I think it’s great for the Premiership that these players are going to play regional rugby.

“It’s a great breeding ground for players, one which helps to develop their skills to take them to the next level.”

For Pontypridd, the clash with Bedwas is their third game in a week. In the return fixture earlier this season, Pontypridd were 55-27 winners in a high-scoring encounter at the House of Pain and they make changes from the midweek win over Cardiff.

Dan Godfrey and Chris Dicomidis return to the starting line-up and with Wayne O’Connor and Rhys Shellard also featuring, Pontypridd will have plenty of power to match Bedwas up front.

They are though, without tight head prop Pat Palmer who suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury against Cardiff. Also out with a persistent shoulder strain is full back Geraint Walsh while winger Matthew Nuthall is resting a hamstring twinge. Second row Craig Locke is another absentee with a trapped nerve in the neck.

Bedwas: 15 Stuart Thomas 14 Lewis Hudd 13 Harley Thompson 12 Scott Williams 11 Matthew John 10 Ethan Davies 9 Tom Rowlands, 1 Ian George 2 Rhys Hutcherson 3 Kristian Gay 4 Phil Rees 5 Kyle Maiden 6 Simon Grainger ©7 Aaron Harris 8 Sam Feehan.
Replacements: Dan Preece, Elliot Dee, Matthew Pettit, James Thomas, James Benjamin, Joshua Davies, Will Owen, Rory Budina.

Pontypridd: 15 Adam Thomas 14 Owen Jenkins 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Gary Williams 11 Owen Williams 10 Dai Flanagan 9 Lloyd Williams, 1 Scott Roberts 2 Huw Dowden 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Jordan Sieniawski 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Rhys Shellard 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Carl Thomas, Simon Humberstone, Gareth Wyatt, Jack Dando, Ed Siggery, Cory Hill, Bradley Thyer, Stuart Williams.

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