Ponty away - beside the sea

Pontypridd will seek to generate some momentum in their league campaign, following up on an impressive home victory over Cardiff last weekend, as they travel to face Swansea away this coming Saturday.

Two home wins, over Neath and Cardiff, and a defeat away at Ebbw Vale, have left Ponty in a mid-table eighth position, on nine points. Their forthcoming opponents Swansea lie one place below them in the Premiership, the All Whites having won just one of four league outings, but having racked up four bonus points to boost their overall tally of eight.

Since the inception of the semi-pro Premiership, both Ponty and Swansea have gained reputations as clubs committed to bringing on young talent, and fostering an ethos of open, attacking rugby. Harvesting points away at St Helens has been a difficult task for Pontypridd over many years, but the squad will travel to the seaside venue on Saturday hoping to win, and to win in a style worthy of the fixture.

There are a number of new injuries to report from within the Ponty camp. Prop Ian Poley was unfortunately involved in a car crash last week, and whilst avoiding any serious injury, is not yet able to train. Flanker Geraint Lewis has suffered a reaction to a recent knee problem, as well as coping with the new experience of fatherhood! Also ruled out with a recurrence of an old knee injury is outside half Gareth McCarthy, whilst centre Adam Thomas is laid low with a groin strain.

Kristian Baller is drafted into the Ponty side at full back, with centre Mike Davies making a first competitive start in the centre. Two senior Blues players, in winger Aled Brew and outside half Dai Flanagan, continue to feature for Ponty.

Up front, prop Stuart Williams and hooker Rhys Williams return to the starting line-up, with Chris Dicomidis reverting to the lock position and Rhys Lloyd taking over on the blindside flank.

The Pontypridd team selected to face Swansea is as follows:

15.Kristian Baller. 14.Aled Brew. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12. Mike Davies. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Andrew Jenkins.

1.Stuart Williams. 2.Rhys Williams. 3.Sam Hobbs. 4.Chris Martenko. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Rhys Lloyd. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.

Subs: Matt Hutchings; Lawrence Price; Lewis Williams; Ryan Harford; Huw Dowden; Grant Harrington; Ryan Savage.

Two of the Ponty squad will turn out on permit this weekend for their clubs of origin – winger Owen Williams for Blackwood and prop Owen Cotton for Ynysybwl.