Pontypridd v Newbridge – Match Preview
On Saturday 11th October Pontypridd RFC play Newbridge RFC in the Admiral Premiership at Sardis Road, kick-off is 2:30pm.
Ponty achieved a season’s treble over Newbridge in 2024/25 winning 22-0 at home on on the 28th September 2024, before edging a tight contest away at The Welfare Ground by 30 points to 22 earlier this year on Saturday 25th January. The close-fought encounters in the league weren’t replicated when the two clubs met in the semi-final of the Welsh National Cup when, on Saturday 1st March, the Valley Commandos produced a commanding performance to book their place in the final following a 53-14 win.
This Saturday’s encounter pits 1st against 11th in the current standings. Ponty have won all four league matches so far this season whilst Newbridge have won one from three but do have a game in hand over most sides in the league. This weekend marks the fourth encounter in just over twelve months that the two clubs, who are both steeped in history and tradition, will have faced off against each other – we’ll see you at Sardis tomorrow.
The Team News…
There are four changes to the Ponty starting XV that triumphed at Bargoed last Saturday, and there’s a further four new faces amongst the replacements including some familiar faces returning.
Three of the four changes come in the backline with Joe Davies returning to the matchday squad on the wing, Jaydan Pugh starting at flyhalf, whilst his half-back partner is Lucus Welch who has returned to the club on permit from Newport for this week’s match.
The only change in the pack sees Jordan Coxley start at no.8, replacing the injured Joe Miles.
The four new faces on the substitutes bench sees returns to the twenty-three for Iestyn Harris, there’s a first matchday involvement of the new season for Garyn Daniel following injury, a return for Lloyd Dennett after also recovering from injury and the fourth new face is another returning player on permit – Lloyd Riley could appear for the club again having been granted permission to play by Pontypool.
Out of selection contention due to injury are Ben Drew, Dale Stuckey and Joe Miles, whilst Ben Stephens and Joel Raikes are unavailable.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Newbridge is as follows:
15. Oli Shepherd. 14. Iwan Griffith. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Joe Davies. 10. Jaydan Pugh. 9. Lucus Welch.
1. Cameron Tyler-Grocott. 2. Louis Tovey. 3. Kian Mattravers. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Jordan Coxley.
Subs: 16. Connah Hughes. 17. Dan Cotterell. 18. Garyn Daniel. 19. Lloyd Riley. 20. Iestyn Harris. 21. Lloyd Dennett. 22. Jorge Lucey. 23. Callum Coxley.
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 Newbridge – e-Tickets
Supporter access is via the Clubhouse end of the ground only – the ground and bars will be open from midday onwards.
Club Merchandise – Earlier in the week announced that supporters can now order a range of Ponty RFC merchandise, and you can do so by placing your orders with Phil Miles on Saturday. Please see our recent article which contains all the key information – Order Our Home & Away Playing Shirts, Heritage Shirts And Other Merchandise NOW!
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