The Quins, as currently the strongest of the Scarlets’ region clubs have been pushing for league honours over the past couple of seasons and have just narrowly missed out on Play-Off qualification. They currently lie fifth in the table trailing thirty points behind champions Pontypridd.
In the reverse fixture on the first Saturday of the New Year, Pontypridd secured a hard fought home win by 14-6.
Pride of place in the Ponty starting line-up at Carmarthen goes to centre Gary Williams who makes his one hundredth appearance for the club. Having joined up in 2008 from his local club Aberdare, Williams’ involvement with Pontypridd has of late been disrupted by injury and work commitments. He has now returned to offer his considerable physical presence in midfield and becomes a club centurion.
Dan Godfrey takes over the captaincy in the absence of Dafydd Lockyer, whilst Blues Academy youngsters, centre Harry Millard and prop Corey Domachowski are drafted in to cover on the bench.
Pontypridd: 15.Matthew Nuthall. 14.Owen Jenkins. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Gary Williams. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Lewis K Williams. 9.Joel Raikes; 1.Chris Phillips. 2.Liam Belcher. 3.Bradley Thyer. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Alex Jones. 6.Wayne O’Connor. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Dan Godfrey (Capt)
Subs: 16.Lloyd Williams. 17.Simon Humberstone. 18. Harry Millard. 19.Huw Dowden. 20.Jake Thomas. 21.Luke Crocker. 22.Corey Domachowski. 23.Dillon Lewis.