Ystrad Rhondda v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 18th April Pontypridd RFC make the short trip to Gelligaled Park where they will play Ystrad Rhondda RFC. The Admiral Premiership match between the two clubs kicks off at the usual time of 2:30pm.

Ponty last travelled to Ystrad nearly a year ago on Saturday 26th April 2025, and the home side took the spoils 39-26 in the Admiral Premiership in that encounter. The last time the two clubs met was earlier this season just before Christmas on Saturday 20th December at Sardis Road, and it was the Valley Commandos who enjoyed a bonus-point win by 36 points to 20.

As we head into tomorrow’s match Ponty sit in third place whilst Ystrad sit four places further back in seventh, however, league positions and the form book get thrown out of the window when it comes to local derby matches. The top of the Admiral Premiership table couldn’t be any closer, and Pontypridd know that only wins from here on in will be sufficient – c’mon the Pont!

TEAM NEWS –

Ponty have made three changes, two in the forwards and one in the backs, from the starting XV that won away to Cardiff Met a fortnight ago. In addition to that there are also two positional switches in the starting line-up, and there are a further four new faces on the bench, two of which are potential debutants.

In the pack Connah Hughes comes in and starts at hooker and Ioan Davies is drafted in to start at no.8. Ioan’s selection sees captain Joe Miles switch from back row into the second row.

The only change behind the scrum sees Logan Jones return to start at flyhalf, with Jorge Lucey moving from flyhalf to fullback.

The four new faces in the matchday squad on the bench are props Dino Dallavalle and Cameron Tyler-Grocott, second row Lucca Alexander-White and centre Alex Burton. Dino is well know to Ponty supporters having played against us numerous times over the years for Llandovery, who he is on permit from this Saturday. The other potential debutant along with Dino is centre Alex Burton who is on permit from Abercynon RFC.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Ystrad Rhondda is as follows:

15. Jorge Lucey. 14. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Tommy Morgan. 11. Joe Davies. 10. Logan Jones. 9. Joel Raikes.

1. Ben Drew. 2. Connah Hughes. 3. Kian Mattravers. 4. Lloyd Riley. 5. Joe Miles (c). 6. Iestyn Harris. 7. Cai James. 8. Ioan Davies.

Subs: 16. Louis Tovey. 17. Dino Dallavalle. 18. Cameron Tyler-Grocott. 19. Lucca Alexander-White. 20. Mitch Barnard. 21.Lloyd Dennett. 22. Alex Burton. 23. Rhodri Smith.

GROUND AND CLUBHOUSE ADDRESS –

Please note that due to the close proximity of the two clubs, the Ponty Supporters Club are not running a bus to Ystrad tomorrow. The postcode for Gelligaled Park is CF41 7SY. However, Ystrad’s clubhouse is just back in the town and the address for that is 82 Gelligaled Road, Ystrad Rhondda, CF41 7RQ – the clubhouse will be open pre-match to welcome supporters for refreshments.

 

 

 

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