Matchday Preview – Cinderford v Pontypridd

This Saturday 19th August Pontypridd’s pre-season preparations continue with the team venturing over the border into the Forest of Dean to play Cinderford RFC. The match at Dockham Road will kick-off at 3:00pm.

The last time Ponty played the Gloucestershire-based side was at Dockham Road on Saturday 22nd August 2009, and won by 38 points to 12 – the team was captained by Nathan Strong and the sole current survivor from that day is second-row Chris Dicomidis. Amongst the try scorers 14 years ago were Lewis I Williams (2), Dafydd Lockyer, Dean Gunter and Owen Williams. It was also a first start for Pontypridd for Darren Waters, albeit in a friendly.

The Pontypridd team that played Cinderford on 22/8/2009 was: 

15. Matthew Nuthall. 14. Lewis I Williams. 13. Gavin Dacey. 12. Dafydd Lockyer. 11. Chris Clayton. 10. Dean Gunter. 9. Rhys Downes.

1. J. Williams. 2. Rhys Williams. 3. Pat Palmer. 4. Chris Martenko. 5. Chris Dicomidis. 6. Kristian Dacey. 7. Darren Waters. 8. Nathan Strong (c).

Subs: Gary Williams, Owen Williams, Lee Thorne, Matthew Hutchings, Kristian Baller, Ryan Harford, Huw Dowden, Grant Harrington, Ryan Savage, Sam Studley, R. Watkins.

Back to the present, Cinderford play in RFU National League 1 – the third tier of the English pyramid. Last season they finished 7th out of 14 clubs in an extremely competitive division that includes other illustrious English sides like Leeds Tykes, Birmingham Moseley, Plymouth Albion and Esher, amongst others. Our English hosts should provide another stern test as Ponty look to ramp up its pre-season intensity ahead of the new season.

Cinderford’s Dockham Road ground and clubhouse will be open by 1:00pm at the latest and there will be plenty of parking available at the ground for supporters.

SUPPORTERS INFORMATION –

The Ponty Supporters Club are organising transport to the ground and the bus is fully booked! – it will be leaving Sardis Road at 11:30am and will be staying at Cinderford Rugby Club for a little while after the final whistle so that supporters are able to enjoy a drink or two before leaving.

For Ponty supporters making their own way to the match, the address for Cinderford RFC is – Dockham Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AQ.

Cinderford rugby club will also be showing all the live international rugby action throughout the afternoon in their clubhouse.

Did someone say road trip?!…