Llanelli Wanderers v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 21st March Pontypridd head west to take on Llanelli Wanderers in the Admiral Premiership, the match kicks off at 2:30pm at Stradey Park.

Tomorrow’s match will be Ponty’s first at the Wanderers’ home, and only the second ever contest between the two clubs. The first time the two clubs have ever met was earlier this season on Saturday 8th November at Sardis Road, and it was a points-fest. The Valley Commandos ran in nine tries to win by 57 points to 32. Llanelli Wanderers took a four-try bonus point back to Stradey Park for their efforts and contribution to a highly entertaining afternoon just over four months ago.

Both teams head into this week’s match looking for an important win but for different reasons. With games running out, table-topping Ponty know that only wins will do from here on in if they want to sustain their push for the league title. This week’s hosts sit in the 12th place in the league and are fighting for survival in what is their first season in the Premiership, it should be a cracker.

The Team News…

Pontypridd have made six changes to the starting XV that triumphed over Neath at Sardis a fortnight ago – two in the backs, four in the forwards and a positional switch as well. There are also four new faces amongst the replacements in the matchday squad.

The two changes in the back line sees returns to the team for Callum Coxley at outside centre and George Thorrington on the left wing.

In the forwards Connah Hughes comes in to start at hooker, Dan Cotterell packs down at tighthead prop and Lloyd Riley returns and starts at blindside flanker. The other returnee is no.8 Joe Miles who will skipper the team this weekend in the absence of Cally James. Cally’s injury sees brother Cai switch to the openside flanker berth.

The first of the four new faces in the matchday squad on the bench is a return for Iestyn Harris – his first outing since playing a starring role in the team’s win away at Newbridge last month. The other three new players have all featured for Ponty throughout this season on permit from various teams – Ioan Davies from Newport RFC, Cameron Tyler-Grocott from the Cardiff Rugby Academy and Codi Purnell from the Dragons Academy respectively.

Also, a huge shout out to Garyn Smith who will bring up his century of Pontypridd appearances on Saturday – llongyfarchiadau Garyn!

The Pontypridd team selected to play Llanelli Wanderers is as follows:

15. Jorge Lucey. 14. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 13. Callum Coxley. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. George Thorrington. 10. Logan Jones. 9. Joel Raikes.

1. Ben Drew. 2. Connah Hughes. 3. Dan Cotterell. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Lucca Alexander-White. 6. Lloyd Riley. 7. Cai James. 8. Joe Miles (c).

Subs: 16. Louis Tovey. 17. Cameron Tyler-Grocott. 18. Codi Purnell. 19. Ioan Davies. 20. Iestyn Harris. 21. Ben Bora. 22. Lloyd Dennett. 23. Rhodri Smith.

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

There are just a few seats remaining on the supporters bus – it will be departing Sardis Road at midday, please phone Phil Lycett on 01443 662561 to book a seat. Here’s our recent Supporters Bus article with all the key information – Supporters Coach to Llanelli Wanderers

GROUND AND PARKING INFORMATION –

The following information has come directly from Saturday’s hosts –

• Main entrance is from Stradey Park Avenue (SA15 3EF) but there is no parking for supporters in the club car park.
• Supporters are asked to park at Llanelli Cricket Club, accessed via Denham Avenue (SA15 4BT).
• The clubhouse and pitchside marquee bar will be open from 1pm serving draught beers.
• Coffee & cake will be available from The Cake Tin Trailer with street food from El Pascoe’s.
• We suggest that supporters arrive early to reduce queuing near the kick off time of 2:30pm.

 

 

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