The two sides were paired together in the final of 1996, and John’s input was vital; it was has superb try that clinched the victory for the valley side. Neath were dominant in the first half, going into the interval with a 22-9 lead, but Pontypridd battled back after the break and when John scored the match-winning try, his side were crowned winners 29-22.
“It was a phenomenal day and the first time the club had really won anything,” John said. “The supporters were there in their thousands. It was a day that you’ll never forget if you were involved in it, and the tape of the game is worn out.”
John believes that the supporters were a key part to Pontypridd’s success that day and is urging fans from both clubs to come and watch the final saying: “If the game on May 17th is half as good as that one was then the supporters are in for a real treat.”
Pontypridd won both the Principality Premiership matches over Neath this season, and John says his side confident in their form going into the final.
“The boys can take confidence in the fact they have beaten Neath this year, but the Cup final is a one-off occasion and the last couple of finals we’ve been in, either sides could have won.”
Both clubs recognize each others potential to play good, attacking rugby, John certainly is aware of the strength of the Neath pack and said: “Neath have got a great squad, they’ve got it all, players out wide, a good midfield and they are a very capable unit. Lee Beach is a key player for them as a back row and captain, and it will be a good contest between him and Nathan Strong as always.”
Pontypridd have always had a big affiliation with the Cup, and John reveals that his side enjoy playing in the competition and identifies that it plays an important part in young player development adding: “It’s an important competition and its good because players playing a one-off game where you could lose, is a lot different to playing in the league. It is crucial for the younger players to gain experience of this and they can achieve this in cup games.”
To add fuel to the fire, there is recent history between these two sides in WRU Challenge Cup finals. In 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath in the dying minutes through a telling drop goal.
“For the boys who did play in that final it was great experience for them to win the Cup. At Pontypridd we want our players to enjoy the experience and express themselves, not be overawed by the occasion,” John said and the coach is confident that if Pontypridd can continue their run of form into the final they are more than capable of beating four-times Premiership champions Neath.
“We have to go out and play as we have been doing for the previous two weeks, but with the squad they’ve got we have to produce our best performance to win against them, and hopefully we will.”
