Pontypridd v Bridgend – match preview

Pontypridd host Bridgend Ravens at Sardis Road on Saturday 25th January, the Premiership tie kicking off at 2:30pm.

Ponty held on to fifth place in the league table despite a frustrating 5pts to 18 defeat away at relegation strugglers Ebbw Vale the previous weekend. For the second week running they will face the bottom placed team, currently Bridgend who also suffered defeat on their last outing, by 14pts to 35 at home to Llandovery.

Games between Pontypridd and the Ravens have often been tight affairs. In the reverse fixture in late October a converted try in the last play of the game salvaged a 21pts to 23 victory for Ponty at the Brewery Field, whilst at the end of last season Bridgend secured their Premiership survival with a 31pts to 34 win at Sardis Road.

The latest withdrawal for Ponty is outside half Ben Jones who retired hurt from the Ebbw defeat with a groin strain. Making their comebacks from illness and injury respectively are winger Dale Stuckey, who starts, and prop Huw Owen on the bench.