Cross Keys v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 12th April Pontypridd RFC travel to play Cross Keys RFC at Pandy Park in the Admiral Premiership, the match will kick-off at 2:30pm.

Saturday will be Ponty’s first visit to Pandy Park since 8th May 2019 and the Valley Commandos will be hoping for the same outcome as that evening – Dale Stuckey bagged two tries to earn a 24-7 win. Earlier this season the two teams met in the league at Sardis and Pontypridd won 43-31, but they had to dig deep after falling behind 19-0 in the first half.

To recent, present times and of course the two clubs met just seven days ago at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh Premiership Cup final, which Ponty won 43 points to 12. Last Saturday will count for absolutely nothing as Pontypridd head to one of the toughest grounds in the country against a team looking to avenge last week’s loss in the capital.

TEAM NEWS –

Last Saturday’s bruising encounter has taken its toll on Pontypridd, and as a result there have been seven changes to last week’s Cup Final starting XV, one positional switch and no fewer than five new faces have come onto the substitutes bench.

In the backline it’s all change on the wings with Sam Talbot and Jude Williams being drafted in for starts, and there’s also a new half-back pairing – Messrs Welch and Pugh start at 9 and 10.

In the forwards two of the three changes come in the front row with Jeffrey Young starting at hooker whilst Morgan Bosanko is drafted in to start at loosehead prop. The other personnel change in the pack sees Will Jameson start at blindside flanker, whilst Lloyd Riley switches from 6 to 8.

The new faces amongst the replacements are Kian Mattravers, Niall Moore, Ethan Evans, Jacob Symes and Rhodri Smith. Niall Moore and Ethan Evans are both on permit from the Cardiff Rugby academy – Ethan was on the bench at Brecon a fortnight ago but didn’t appear. The other new face is Rhodri Smith who is on permit from neighbouring club Cilfynydd RFC. Rhod is another member of the Smith Family Dynasty who have all represented Pontypridd RFC – one of Garyn’s younger brothers, in the past he has played for Ponty in pre-season matches and has been on the bench for the Club in a league game, but didn’t make his official bow.

Unavailable for Saturday because of injury are Cai James, Louis Rochefort-Shugar, Ioan Evans, Oli Shepherd and Joe Miles – the latter carrying a niggle. Away on leave are Ben Stephens and Joe Davies.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Cross Keys is as follows:

15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Sam Talbot. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Jude Williams. 10. Jaydan Pugh. 9. Lucus Welch.

1. Morgan Bosanko. 2. Jeffrey Young. 3. Garyn Daniel. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Will Jameson. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Lloyd Riley.

Subs: 16. Rob Jones. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Niall Moore. 20. Ethan Evans. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Jacob Symes. 23. Rhodri Smith.

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

For fans who have booked travel on the sold out Pontypridd Supporters Club bus, it will depart Sardis Road at 1:00pm. Phil Lycett’s contact number is 01443 662561.

GROUND ADDRESS –

The postcode for Pandy Park is NP11 7BS.

 

 

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