The traditional festive derby fixture between the Valley Commandos and their big city rivals takes place at Sardis Road on Saturday December 29th, kicking off at 5.30pm in front of the S4C cameras.
Albeit in a period severely disrupted by postponed matches, Ponty have recently built up some momentum with four consecutive wins in cup and league. Their ability to press on with that run will be put to the ultimate test in a game against a Cardiff outfit who boast genuine strength, depth and quality in their squad, and have worked their way to the top of the premiership table.
The Ponty squad assembled for a training session on Thursday morning this week to sweat out the effects of the Christmas break, and worked well in preparation for the big game against Cardiff. An arm injury has forced flanker Lee Evans to withdraw, but Ponty’s strength in depth in the back row department highlighted as former Wales international Geraint Lewis steps up to take his place. A late fitness test will be given to centre Adam Thomas, suffering a dead leg, with Paul Matthews and Gavin Dacey both on stand by.
Apart from these injury problems, and the return to fitness of Blues hooker Duane Goodfield, Ponty Coaches Paul John and Dale McIntosh have adopted a policy of continuity in selection, keeping together the team which did well to gain a valuable victory away at Glamorgan Wanderers last weekend.
Pontypridd: Matthew Hutchings; Trystan Lazarus, Lawrence Price, Adam Thomas, Kristian Baller; Neil Burnett, Andrew Jenkins; Stuart Williams, Duane Goodfield, Ryan Harford, Grant Harrington, Chris Dicomidis, Geraint Lewis, Rhys Shellard, Nathan Strong (Capt)
Replacements from: Jason Pocock, Gavin Dacey, Paul Matthew, Rhys Downes, Ian Poley, Leighton Davies, Ryan Savage, Wayne O’Connor
