Match Preview – Cardiff v Pontypridd

On Boxing Day Monday 26th December Pontypridd travel down the A470 to play Cardiff at the Arms Park. The Indigo Group Premiership match in the capital kicks off at 2:30pm.

The two clubs met on the opening day of this season in front of the S4C cameras at Sardis Road. Cardiff won a competitive match by 26 points to 12 – two quick-fire tries on the stroke of half-time ultimately earning the visitors the win although Ponty showed plenty of heart but fell short of earning anything out of the match which their endeavours deserved.

Last weekend Cardiff enjoyed a huge 82-0 win at home against Carmarthen Quins whereas Ponty’s match away at RGC was postponed due to the freezing weather conditions.

Despite our match against RGC falling foul to the weather, the side was selected and the Ponty XV due to take to the field in Colwyn Bay is similar to the one chosen to play the reigning Premiership Champions and current table-toppers on Monday – there are just two changes.

In the backs Dale Stuckey returns on the wing and in the pack Ben Stephens comes back in at loose-head prop. These changes are for Alex Lloyd and Morgan Bosanko who both move to the bench.

Amongst the substitutes there are returns to the matchday squad for Joel Raikes and Mitch Barnard respectively.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Cardiff is as follows:

15. Joseph Scrivens. 14. Lloyd Rowlands. 13. Tommy Morgan. 12. Ceri Morris. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Ben Burnell. 9. Rory Harries

1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Tom Harper. 4. Kris Parker (c). 5. Chris Dicomidis. 6. Cai James. 7. Sion Parry. 8. Joe Miles

Subs: 16. Nathan Huish. 17. Morgan Bosanko. 18. Garyn Daniel. 19. Mitch Barnard. 20. Aled Ward. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Alex Lloyd. 23. Sam Hayman

Supporter information…

The Pontypridd RFC Supporters Club are organising transport to the ground and there are still a few spaces left on the bus – it will leave Sardis Road at 12:30pm ahead of the 2:30pm kick-off in Cardiff.

Travelling to Ponty’s away matches on one of Edwards Coaches is a comfortable and convenient way to support the team. The price for a seat is £10 per person.

To book on the bus to Cardiff Arms Park please call Phil Lycett on – 01443 662561.

Matchday programme information from Cardiff RFC – Cardiff RFC no longer sell physical matchday programmes but they can be viewed/downloaded online. QR codes will be dotted around the Arms Park Clubhouse for scanning and links will be available on Cardiff RFC’s website once the programme is available.

Merry Christmas Ponty Fans, enjoy the 25th and we look forward to seeing as many of you pack the terrace at the Arms Park on the 26th! Ole!