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Old rivals, old friends, no holds barred – it’s Cardiff v Ponty at Xmas

Old rivals, old friends, no holds barred – it’s Cardiff v Ponty at Xmas

Jamie Hill used to play for Ponty but will be lining up for Cardiff

Cardiff and Pontypridd have been rivals for 145 years and since 1972 their Christmas bashes have been occasions not be missed.

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The Indigo Premiership game at the Arms Park on ‘Christmas Eve Eve’ (S4C at 5.15pm) should be no exception as a resurgent Ponty head to the Welsh capital determined to make it five wins on the bounce and to possibly overtake their big regional rivals.

It won’t only be local bragging rights at stake, but the chance to continue the big push for a top four finish to reach the end of season play-offs.

After their big win at Merthyr last weekend, Cardiff will be hoping to continue to push forward when they welcome Pontypridd to the Arms Park. Resurgent Ponty have moved up to within three points of their nearest and dearest with a run of four successive victories.

When the two teams met on the opening day of the season it ended up as an honourable 19-19 draw. If either side is to push for a top four finish, then something better than that will be needed.

“This game is a traditional Christmas fixture and it will be a very exciting day at the Arms Park. We’re looking forward to welcoming a large, vocal crowd for what will be a great opportunity for us to showcase the talent we have in the region,” said Cardiff academy director, Gruff Rees.

Cardiff head coach Steve Law will have a number of regional players available to him this weekend – Jacob Beetham, Jamie Hill, Rhys Barrett, Efan Daniel and Will Davies-King – while Ponty will be bringing a few former Cardiff players back to the Arms Park in Macauley Cook, Garyn Smith, Ryan Wilkins and Ben Burnell.

Prior to the main event, there will be an U18 fixture between the Cardiff Rugby ‘RAG’ squad and a team drawn from the Youth clubs across the region. 

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