Dowden stands down

The end of another season signals the end of a Pontypridd playing career for a club stalwart, long serving hooker Huw Dowden.

The Gilfach Goch product is a Ponty double centurion and has served the club well for over a decade.

A former Blues Academy intern and Wales Youth international, Huw played his first game for Pontypridd on 13th September 2008, when he came on as a replacement against Neath. He quickly established himself as a key member of the squad, and during a successful era for the club, the front row selection of Hobbs, Dowden and Palmer was arguably of regional quality.

Huw established himself as first-choice hooker for many seasons, a great ball-carrier and a solid scrummager who at times packed down as a tight head prop. On 28th April 2012 Huw chalked up his 100th game for Ponty, the 200th came on 3d December 2016 and culminated in a total of 258 appearances with an impressive 32 tries scored.

Work commitments as an assistant head-teacher have made it increasingly difficult for Huw to train and play at Premiership level and he now stands down from his duties with Pontypridd, with an intention to turn out occasionally for his local club Gilfach Goch.

Reflecting on his departure from the squad, Huw Dowden said: “The past ten years with Pontypridd have been great for me and I hold many cherished memories, of the friendships made and the achievements on the field of play.

“Last season I was unable to commit to the training levels required and felt it unfair on the club for me to continue. I can only thank the management team for bearing with me and I felt the time was now right to stand down.

“I will look back at my time with Ponty with immense pride, and I maintain that I am the club’s highest scoring hooker of all time!”

Huw Dowden’s contribution to the Ponty cause was a hugely significant one, he will depart with the sincere thanks and the very best wishes of all at the club.