Ponty will travel away to Cross Keys for their next fixture, a SWALEC Cup sixth round tie on Saturday 21st February, but for the time being the squad remaining totally focussed on their league commitments.
Only two places divide the clubs in the premiership table – Pontypridd in seventh and Cross Keys in ninth position, with a 10 point advantage in Ponty’s favour.
In the corresponding league fixture back in November, Ponty recorded their best win, and arguably their best performance of the season so far, with a thumping 60-0 victory at Pandy Park. The Gwent club reacted to that defeat by installing Mark Ring as their senior coach, with an upturn in their fortunes to follow.
In facing up to a potentially difficult return match, Ponty welcome back into the fold some of their long term injury absentees. Wing Lewis Williams will be given a run out, striving to overcome a long standing back strain, with centre Adam Thomas (shoulder) and prop Pat Palmer (ribs) also passed fit to play.
Still sidelined are winger Chris Clayton with an abdominal injury, and flankers Wayne O’Connor and Rhys Lloyd with shoulder problems and concussion respectively. Also out of contention for Ponty are scrum half Rhys Downes and hooker Rhys Williams, involved with the Wales under 20s squad in their Six Nations campaign.
Pontypridd (v Cross Keys): 15.Matthew Hutchings. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Adam Thomas. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Gareth McCarthy. 9.Andrew Jenkins; 1.Stuart Williams. 2.Leighton Davies. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Chris Martenko. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Geraint Lewis. 7.Kristian Dacey. 8.Nathan Strong (capt).
Subs: Kristian Baller; Dai Flanagan; Sam Hobbs; Ryan Harford; Huw Dowden; Ryan Savage; Grant Harrington.
