Playing around

With a large senior squad at its disposal, the policy for Pontypridd RFC this season is to give players as much game time as possible, based on a good working relationship with neighbouring lower league clubs.

When players are not turning out for Ponty in the Premiership, it is more often than not the case that they will be pulling on their boots for another club.

Recent examples are flanker Kyle Evans turning out on a regular basis for Ynysybwl, hooker Huw Dowden for Gilfach Goch and scrum half Tom Rowlands for Cardiff based club St Joseph’s, with whom he unfortunately picked up an injury.

Others have been seeking game time as part of their return to fitness, prop Ben Stephens playing for Beddau and hooker Rob Jones (pictured above) for Treorchy.

This policy of players appearing on permit is essential for Ponty to maintain squad strength in depth, according to Team Manager Dan Godfrey.

“We always seek to maintain a good working relationship with our neighbouring clubs” said Godfrey. “The intention is to make the system work both ways, in benefitting other clubs as well as ourselves and to keep everyone as happy as can be.

“The best environment that our players can have is to keep in touch with their local clubs and to get competitive game time in the lower divisions.”

One recent departure from the Pontypridd squad is experienced prop Ross Davies who completed his short stay with the club to return, as planned, to play in the USA.