Merthyr v Pontypridd – Match Preview
On Saturday 9th November Pontypridd RFC travel away to play Merthyr RFC at The Wern, the Admiral Premiership match between the two clubs kicks off at 2:30pm.
Ponty’s last last visit to The Wern was earlier this year on Saturday 3rd February and it was the home side that took the spoils by 21-15. The last meeting between the Valleys rivals came on Thursday 14th March at Sardis Road. There was a certain similarity in the scoreline compared to the previous month’s match, but this time it was the Valley Commandos that came out on top by 25 points to 22.
Last Saturday Pontypridd won their 6th straight match in this season’s Admiral Premiership against Bonymaen, whilst Merthyr lost their second league match in a row away at Llangennech. However, whilst Ponty occupy first place in the current league standings Merthyr are just 5 points behind in joint-second place with Neath, so it’s all to play for at The Wern on Saturday!
The Team News…
Apart from Rob Jones who is away on leave, Pontypridd have everyone else in the squad fit and available for selection. Chris Dicomidis and his coaching team have made five personnel changes and one positional switch to the XV that beat Bonymaen last weekend.
In the backline Joel Raikes returns at scrum-half and Garyn Smith is drafted back into the starting line-up at outside-centre. Garyn’s return sees Stuart Floyd-Ellis switch to from centre to wing.
In the pack Ben Stephens has recovered from the illness that forced him to pull out late in the day last week, and returns at loosehead prop. Morgan Bosanko is recalled to the XV at tighthead prop and Cai James returns at blindside flanker.
On the bench there are two players that weren’t involved in last week’s matchday squad – hooker Dylan Kelly and prop Ben Drew, the latter has recovered from the ankle injury that has kept him out of the last three matches.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Merthyr is as follows:
15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 13. Garyn Smith. 12. Ioan Evans. 11. Joe Davies. 10. Jacob Symes. 9. Joel Raikes.
1. Ben Stephens. 2. Jeff Young. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.
Subs: 16. Dylan Kelly. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Garyn Daniel. 19. Ellis Evans. 20. Lloyd Riley. 21. Lucus Welch. 22. Jaydan Pugh. 23. Louis Rochefort-Shugar.
Pob lwc bois!
SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –
The Pontypridd Supporters Club are organising travel for fans to the match, and for those of you that have booked the bus will leave Sardis Road at 1:00pm ahead of the 2:30pm kick-off before departing at 5:30pm. Should anyone require it Phil Lycett’s telephone number is 01443 662561.
GROUND ADDRESS –
For Ponty Fans making your own way to the ground, the address for your sat-nav is – The Wern, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1AF.
REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY –
Ahead of kick-off this Saturday there will be an on-pitch ceremony so that the two clubs can pay their respects for Remembrance Weekend.
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