Match Preview – Pontypridd v Aberavon
This Saturday 8th October Pontypridd welcome Aberavon to Sardis Road, the match in the Indigo Group Premiership kicks off at 2:30pm.
The Wizards have won their last two league matches at Sardis Road either side of the Covid-19 pandemic in January 2022 and November 2019. Ponty will be going all-out to ensure they are on the right side of the result this week against an Aberavon side who have won four out of four league matches so far this season and sit top of the table with a maximum 20 league points accumulated. Ponty will be licking their wounds after defeat in Swansea last Saturday but as the old saying goes – beware the wounded animal…
Team news –
The home side make three changes to the starting XV that took to the field at St. Helen’s last weekend, some enforced due to injuries sustained in that match. In the backs there are returns at full-back for Lloyd Rowlands and at scrum-half for Joel Raikes. In the forwards Sion Parry returns to the matchday squad and starts at openside flanker.
There are wholesale changes amongst the substitutes. Prop Tom Devine returns to the matchday squad and there’s a first involvement of the season for experienced lock James Murphy. Fly-half Matthew Lewis takes his place on the bench having made his debut for Ponty at the end of last season away at Cardiff and there’s a return for scrum-half Dai Jones. There are also two potential debutants for the home side – second-row Mitch Barnard and centre/full-back Alex Lloyd – should they come off the bench.
Good luck to all the Valley Commandos on Saturday!
The Pontypridd team selected to play Aberavon is as follows:
15. Lloyd Rowlands. 14. Niko Matawalu. 13. Tommy Morgan. 12. Jordan Howells. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Joseph Scrivens. 9. Joel Raikes
1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Tom Harper. 4. Kris Parker ©. 5. James Little. 6. Aled Ward. 7. Sion Parry. 8. Joe Miles
Subs: 16. Nathan Huish. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Morgan Bosanko. 19. James Murphy. 20. Mitch Barnard. 21. Dai Jones. 22. Matthew Lewis. 23. Alex Lloyd
Supporter information –
Tickets – Admission on the day will be £12 full, £10 concession access-all-areas and under 16’s free if accompanied by a paying adult. You can purchase tickets on the day or to save time can use our new online e-Ticket system, link – e-Tickets *Please note – there will be a service charge when using the e-Ticket service as the club incurs a small charge, which they have to pass on to the provider.
Supporter access is via the clubhouse end of the ground only as the Pwllgwaun end remains closed.
Live sport off the field – The Clubhouse will be open from midday with selected live sport on the screens throughout the afternoon – Bath v Gloucester in the Gallagher English Premiership being the pick of the live action.
Live entertainment – After the match there will be entertainment from band Long Shadows. They will be starting their set around 5:30pm in the Clubhouse – we would like to extend a welcome to supporters of both clubs to stay behind after the match and enjoy Long Shadows performing.
