Pontypridd v Bargoed – Match Preview
On Saturday 14th September Pontypridd RFC get their 2024/25 Admiral Premiership campaign underway against Bargoed RFC at Sardis Road, kick off is 2:30pm.
Even though this weekend is the second week of the season, the way events (specifically the weather) have unfolded means it’s both clubs’ first competitive match – the heavy rainfall putting pay to Bargoed’s match at home against Llangennech last Saturday.
Bargoed’s last visit to Sardis Road was just over 12 months ago on Thursday 24th August 2023 in pre-season. The contest saw Ponty run out winners by 38 points to 21 that evening.
Such is the competitive nature around Saturday’s team selection, Ponty Team Manager Stuart Rix commented: “It’s been a very good preseason where the coaching team has been able to see a large number of players. We are very happy with the wider squad that has been assembled. Selection for the first game against Bargoed has been tough with several boys going well and there are a couple of boys who can feel unlucky not to be included for Saturday, but we are confident that this squad can deliver the result we want to start the season.”
TEAM NEWS –
There are three debutants in Saturday’s starting XV – Stuart Floyd-Ellis, Jacob Symes and Lloyd Riley, whilst there’s a further five players that could make their Club debuts off the bench. The other potential debutants in the Matchday squad are Ben Drew, Cole Parry, Dylan John, Jaydan Pugh and Brandon Huntley.
Within the starting XV, Oli Shepherd makes his first start for the club having come off the bench away at Merthyr last season, whilst Joe Davies makes his 25th appearance for Ponty – the last coming in 2022.
In terms of injuries and unavailability, Ioan Evans and Garyn Daniel are both recovering from pre-planned operations for old injuries whilst Louis Rochefort-Shugar is also struggling with a current injury. Sam Talbot’s game time is being managed after he was recently involved with Swansea University’s elite squad, whilst Mitch Barnard is away on leave.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Bargoed is as follows:
15. Oli Shepherd. 14. Joe Davies. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Jacob Symes. 9. Joel Raikes.
1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4. Joe Miles. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Lloyd Riley.
Subs: 16. Dylan Kelly. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Cole Parry. 20. Dylan John. 21. Lucus Welch. 22. Jaydan Pugh. 23. Brandon Huntley.
SUPPORTER INFORMATION:
Tickets – Admission on Saturday will be £12 full, £10 concession access-all-areas and under 16’s free if accompanied by a paying adult. You can purchase tickets on the day or to save time (which is recommended to miss the queues) you can use our online e-Ticket system, here’s the link which includes all our different packages – Pontypridd v Bargoed 14/9/2024
A reminder that supporter access is via the Clubhouse end of the ground only.
Season Tickets – For all our fantastic, loyal supporters that have renewed your season tickets, they are available for collection before the match at the front doors of the Sardis Road Clubhouse.
Live Sport In The Clubhouse – Our Clubhouse will be open from midday onwards and we will be showing live coverage of Southampton versus Manchester United in the Premier League – 12:30pm kick off.
Ole! Ole! Ole!
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