Newbridge v Pontypridd – Welsh Cup Semi-Final Preview

On Saturday 1st March Pontypridd travel to the Lextan Gnoll, home of Neath RFC, where they will play Newbridge in a Welsh Cup semi-final tie. The match against the Welfare Ground men kicks off at 2:30pm.

Ponty and Newbridge met at this stage of the competition just under 13 years ago, on Saturday 14th April 2012 at Cardiff Arms Park. It was a close-fought encounter which Pontypridd edged by a 28-24 scoreline. To the present and the two clubs have played each other twice during the current league campaign, and although Pontypridd have achieved a ‘season’s double’ over Saturday’s opponents, that doesn’t paint the full picture. On Saturday 28th September Ponty won by 22 points to 0 at Sardis Road, and then last month on Saturday 25th January it was the Valley Commandos that ground out the win 30-22 despite being outscored four tries to three by the home side.

The winner of this Saturday’s Gnoll semi-final will face the winners of either Cross Keys or Merthyr who face off in the other tie, and as usual the team will be relying on your magnificent support this weekend – pob lwc bois!

The Team News…

Saturday’s semi-final is Ponty’s first match for a fortnight with the team’s last outing coming on Saturday 15th February against Cardiff Met at Sardis Road. The Valley Commandos have made six personnel changes and two positional switches to the XV that took on the Archers two weeks ago, and there’s also four new faces on the bench including two potential debutants.

In the backline there are returns to the starting line-up for Lucus Welch at scrum-half, Joe Davies on the left wing and Garyn Smith at outside centre. Garyn’s return from injury sees Stuart Floyd-Ellis move from the centre to the right wing berth.

In the pack Ben Stephens and Garyn Daniel return to the side at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively. The other new face is the return of Club captain Cally James from injury, Cally’s recall sees Kristian Parker move from the backrow and back into the boiler house with Mitch Barnard.

On the bench there are recalls to the matchday squad for Jeff Young and Oli Shepherd, whilst there are first ever senior involvements for Oliver Lewis and Aled Evans. Oliver is a second-row on permit from Scarlets U18s, whilst Aled is a backrower and the captain of Ponty Youth whose recent fine form has earned him a call up.

Whilst Ponty’s injury list has shortened over the last couple of weeks, the unfortunate news is that Cai James remains on it.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Newbridge is as follows:

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

1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Garyn Daniel. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Lloyd Riley. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Jeff Young. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Morgan Bosanko. 19. Oliver Lewis. 20. Aled Evans. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Oli Shepherd. 23. Louis Rochefort-Shugar.

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

For those who have booked, the supporters buses are leaving Sardis Road at 1:00pm. Post-match they will leave the Gnoll at 5:30pm, Phil Lycett’s contact number is 01443 662561.

PRE-MATCH HOSPITALITY –

The host club, Neath RFC, have pre-match hospitality available for supporters. You can check out the packages available and/or purchase your match tickets via the following link which takes you to their official website – MATCH DAY HOSPITALITY – NEATH v PONTYPRIDD

GROUND ADDRESS –

For Ponty Fans making your own way to the ground, the postcode required for your sat-navs is SA11 3BU.

 

 

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