Merthyr v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 13th December Pontypridd RFC head north up the A470 for the first Valleys Derby of the season against Merthyr RFC. The Wern plays host to the Admiral Premiership match which kicks off at 2:30pm.

Merthyr came out on top of all three encounters between the two clubs during last season’s campaign, winning both league encounters and the final of the Mid District Cup back in May.

Despite defeat at The Wern last season, on Saturday 9th November 2024, the Valley Commandos put in a hugely spirited second half performance and built up real momentum heading into the last half our or so of the contest. It’s all ifs and buts, but if there were another few minutes on the clock Ponty could have won their first match at Merthyr since triumphing 36-27 on Saturday 7th March 2020, but had to settle for a three-point defeat.

But to the here and now and once again it’s first versus second, which for the last two seasons, has been the case when the two clubs have met. As always, Pontypridd will need to harness the unwavering support from the travelling Pontypridd faithful to be in with a chance of bagging the derby day bragging rights come 4:30pm tomorrow afternoon – pob lwc bois!

The Team News…

Pontypridd are in the midst of a mid-season injury crisis with numerous individuals unavailable because of knocks. The club are lucky to welcome two former favourites back into the fold, and have made six changes to the starting XV ahead of tomorrow’s Valleys Derby.

There are four changes in the backline – Dale Stuckey returns to start at fullback, Iwan Griffith is recalled to start on the wing and Jaydan Pugh is drafted in at flyhalf. The other new face in the backline sees a return to the club for Fijian international Niko Matawalu, who starts at 13.

In the pack Ben Stephens is drafted back in to start at prop, and another fan-favourite who has returned to Pontypridd is Macauley Cook, who starts at second row.

On the bench there are returns to the matchday squad for scrum half Lloyd Dennett and prop Cameron Tyler-Grocott.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Merthyr is as follows:

15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Joe Davies. 13. Niko Matawalu. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Iwan Griffith. 10. Jaydan Pugh. 9. Joel Raikes.

1. Ben Stephens. 2. Louis Tovey. 3. Garyn Daniel. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Macauley Cook. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Connah Hughes. 17. Cameron Tyler-Grocott. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Ben Drew. 20. Jordan Coxley. 21. Lloyd Dennett. 22. Jorge Lucey. 23. Stuart Floyd-Ellis.

GROUND ADDRESS –

For any Ponty Fans who require it, the address for the ground – The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1AF.

 

 

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