Bargoed v Pontypridd – Match Preview
On Saturday 4th October Pontypridd RFC hit the road for the third week in a row when the team play Bargoed RFC at Bargoed Park, the Admiral Premiership match kicks off at 2:30pm.
Ponty’s last visit to Bargoed was a fruitless one, losing 28-19 in the final league match of last season on the 10th May 2025. However, the Valley Commandos did taste victory in the Rhymney Valley last season when they won 29-28 in the Welsh Cup on Saturday 26th October 2024.
It’s all to play for on Saturday with Ponty looking to maintain their place at the top of the Premiership standings, whilst Bargoed will be looking for back-to-back home wins over Pontypridd to propel themselves up the Admiral Premiership table.
TEAM NEWS:
For the third week in a row Ponty have made five changes to the starting XV that took to the field in their previous match – three changes in the forwards and two in the backs. There are also some other positional switches and Club debuts in the matchday squad.
Up front Louis Tovey makes his first start for Pontypridd against one of his former clubs, whilst Mitch Barnard comes in for his first competitive start of the season. Making his debut for the Valley Commandos is prop Cameron Tyler-Grocott who is on permit from the Cardiff Rugby Academy. On top of all the previous changes, Joe Miles reverts to his favoured position at no.8.
In the backline Oli Shepherd is drafted back in for a start at fullback, whilst Iwan Griffith returns to the XV on the wing, and Dale Stuckey moves from 15 to 11.
Amongst the replacements and also potential club debutants are former Ponty Youth prop Luc Morrish and scrum half Dan Roderick. Luc featured for us during pre-season and is on permit from Ynysybwl whilst Dan is on permit from Bridgend Ravens. Ethan Evans has also been selected in this week’s matchday squad and will wear the no.19 shirt.
Not featuring in tomorrow’s match due injury are Garyn Daniel, Ben Stephens, Dylan Kelly, Joey Williams, Ben Drew and Louis Rochefort-Shugar, whilst Joe Davies and Iestyn Harris are unavailable.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Bargoed is as follows:
15. Oli Shepherd. 14. Iwan Griffith. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Jorge Lucey. 9. Joel Raikes.
1. Cameron Tyler-Grocott. 2. Louis Tovey. 3. Kian Mattravers. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.
Subs: 16. Connah Hughes. 17. Luc Morrish. 18. Dan Cotterell. 19. Ethan Evans. 20. Jordan Coxley. 21. Dan Roderick. 22. Jaydan Pugh. 23. Callum Coxley.
SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –
The Pontypridd Supporters Club are organising travel for fans to the opposition’s ground. The bus will be departing Sardis Road at 1:30pm – please phone Phil Lycett on 01443 662561 for any queries.
GROUND ADDRESS –
The postcode for Bargoed Park is CF81 8UJ.
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