KONICA MINOLTA CUP PREVIEWS

Pontypridd take on Aberavon at the Brewery Field, Bridgend tomorrow afternoon (3pm) with Llanelli and Bridgend poised to meet at The Gnoll on Sunday (4pm).

It promises to be a thrilling weekend of rugby with this year’s giant-killers Aberavon hoping to take another notable scalp. The Wizards have already beaten Neath and Newport and captain Dafydd Owen is hopeful that his side can go one better than 12 months ago when they lost out at the final hurdle.

“That was obviously disappointing, but to be honest we have done well in the cup this season and there is a real buzz around the squad,” said Owen. “Pontypridd are a great side with a very good pedigree and they will be in good shape going into the game. I just hope that we produce the goods and perform to the best of our ability. That was what we did against Neath and Newport and we managed to win those matches.”

Ponty’s challenge will, once again, be spearheaded by captain Dale McIntosh who knows what it’s like to win the Welsh Cup. However, McIntosh is in no way underestimating the challenge of the Wizards and has called on his players to produce an extra special effort.

“It’s good news that we have our players back after the U21 Six Nations and that has helped us in terms of selection.

“It’s a big game and I have told the players that they have to show the right mentality and step up to the mark. It’s game like this that sorts out the men from the boys. We have a talented squad but we need to be a little more consistent.”

The game at The Gnoll on Sunday, could be an closer affair with Llanelli coming up against the league’s form side in Bridgend. The Ravens have swept into the top three with a run of outstanding results including victories over Swansea and Neath in recent weeks. That form has certainly not gone unnoticed at Stradey Park where captain Ioan Cunningham has sounded a warning message to his troops.

“We beat them earlier in the season, but they are the form team in Wales at the moment and we have to give them the utmost respect,” said Cunningham. “As far as we are concerned we are desperate to win this competition and take something from the season. The tradition of Llanelli in the cup is something special and we have to make sure that we keep that tradition going.”

For the Ravens the only headache this week has been who to select. Coach Chris Stephens said, “We have rested a few boys in recent weeks, but the guys who have come in have made it very hard for us to select this side. It’s always a good position to be in but to be honest there have been some pretty long faces this week.”

Bridgend have not won a cup game against the Scarlets since the 1981 semi final when they won 22-15. For Aberavon, the record books make for pretty decent reading. Semi finalists last time around, their record against Pontypridd reads played six and won four. However, it’s 21 years since they last beat the Valley Commandoes – 18-3 at the Talbot Athletic Ground. All four teams are hoping to re-write the record books this weekend.

Teams:
Bridgend: A Carter; R Mustoe, R Howells, C Tossell, G Epton; G David, B Roach/N Griffiths; P Booth, A Phillips, G Alexander, N Strong, M Powell (capt), M Thomas, C Daniel, D Fitzgerald Replacements: L Manning, I Dobbs, S Roberts/G Long, G Williams, B Roach/N Griffiths, P Williams, N Dixon

Pontypridd: (probable) M Stoddard; D Berry, T Riley, D Lockyer, R Fussell; D Flanagan, G Jones; S Williams, D Goodfield, R Harford, D McIntosh (capt), G Harrington, W O’Connor, R Shellard, D Godfrey. Replacements: G Cox, B Phillips, C Martenko, L Evans, J Pocock, J Lewis, P John

Llanelli: L Byrne; D Rogers, E Williams, J Lewis, D Gravell; C Thomas, C Macdonald; D Maddocks, C Hawkins, K Jones, C Rowe, B Griffiths, I Cunningham (capt), M Evans, G Quinnell. Replacements: R Perrott, J Hughes, T Bowen, C Thomas, L Davies, T Marks, J Rimmer

Aberavon: L Gadd; R Price, B Maddocks, D Ryan, D Griffiths; J Davies, D Hawkins; M Harris, C Wells, L Howells, D Owen (capt), P Morgan, S Phillips, I Moore, R Morris Replacements: A Williams, M Hook, J Jones, P Bamsey, C Kinsey, C Moses, J Jones