Bargoed v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 11th January Pontypridd RFC travel to play Bargoed RFC at Bargoed Park in the Admiral Welsh Premiership. The Valley Commandos’ first match of 2025 will kick-off at 2:30pm.

This Saturday will be Ponty’s second visit of the season to Bargoed Park following the Welsh Cup quarter-final clash between the two clubs back on the 26th October. A brace of tries from Rob Jones, one for Ioan Evans and a fine kicking display from Jacob Symes saw Ponty dramatically triumph by a 29-28 scoreline.

Pontypridd still sit top of the standings despite having no match last weekend, Bargoed have won their last two league outings and occupy 4th position in the league. Aside from the Welsh Cup nail-biter, the two teams locked horns for their first league games of the season at Sardis Road. That match was another hard-fought contest, but it was Ponty that earned a 34-19 win on Saturday 14th September.

So, all the evidence points to another battle royale in the Rhymney Valley on Saturday – c’mon the Pont!

The Team News…

Ponty have made two personnel changes to the side that triumphed in the Christmas derby against Ystrad Rhondda. There’s also a further two positional switches within the XV and there’s three new faces on the bench.

In the backs the new face is Oli Shepherd who returns and starts at fullback. Oli’s return sees Dale Stuckey revert to his favoured left wing berth with Stuart Floyd-Ellis switching to outside centre.

The sole change in the forwards sees Will Jameson start at blindside flanker. The three new faces in the matchday squad on the bench are Kian Mattravers, Joel Raikes and Louis Rochefort-Shugar.

Injured and unavailable for selection are Garyn Smith and Cai James.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Bargoed is as follows:

15. Oli Shepherd. 14. Joe Davies. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Ioan Evans. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Jaydan Pugh. 9. Lucus Welch.

1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Will Jameson. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Jeff Young. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Garyn Daniel. 19. Kian Mattarvers. 20. Lloyd Riley. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Jacob Symes. 23. Louis Rochefort-Shugar.

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

The Pontypridd Supporters Club are organising travel for fans to the match on Saturday. For those who have booked, the bus will leave Sardis Road at 1:15pm ahead of the 2:30pm kick-off – Phil Lycett’s number is 01443 662561 for any enquiries.

GROUND ADDRESS –

The postcode for Bargoed’s ground is CF81 8UJ.

The Ponty faithful’s support was immense at Bargoed Park earlier in the season, here’s hoping for a repeat this weekend.

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