Bargoed v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 26th October Pontypridd RFC make the relatively short journey into the Rhymney Valley for a Welsh Cup quarter-final tie against Bargoed RFC. The match at Bargoed Park kicks off at 2:30pm.

The two Mid District clubs met last month on Saturday 14th September at Sardis Road and it was Ponty who secured a hard-fought 34 points to 19 win in the Premiership that afternoon. The Valley Commandos’ last visit to Bargoed Park was back on Saturday 4th May 2019 and they triumphed in a high-scoring encounter by a 55-28 scoreline in the Premiership that day.

Both sides will head into this Saturday’s big match full of confidence after two big wins last weekend, Ponty enjoyed a 42-12 win away against Cardiff Met whilst Bargoed secured a late 39-35 win at The Wern against Merthyr.

The Cup Team News…

Pontypridd have made three personnel changes as well as two positional switches to the starting XV that won at Cardiff Met last Saturday.

In the pack there are returns to the front row for Morgan Bosanko and Rob Jones, whilst in the backline Ioan Evans returns from injury to make his first appearance at inside centre since re-joining the club in the summer. The positional switches sees Garyn Smith move to outside centre and Stuart Floyd-Ellis move to the right wing.

All seven players selected on the bench featured in last week’s match either as a replacement or in the starting line-up.

Garyn Daniel, Ben Drew and Cole Parry are still unavailable due to injury, whilst Joe Davies and Oli Shepherd are away on leave.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Bargoed is as follows:

15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 13. Garyn Smith. 12. Ioan Evans. 11. Louis Rochefort-Shugar. 10. Jacob Symes. 9. Joel Raikes.

1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker. 6. Cai James. 7. Cally James (c). 8. Joe Miles.

Subs: 16. Jeff Young. 17. Dan Cotterell. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Lloyd Riley. 20. Will Jameson 21. Lucus Welch. 22. Jaydan Pugh. 23. Sam Talbot.

Pob lwc bois!

GROUND INFORMATION –

Bargoed’s ground and their clubhouse are located in different places. Firstly, the postcode for their ground is CF81 8UJ and refreshments will be available there.

Bargoed’s clubhouse is located in the town, the postcode for it is CF81 8LR.

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

For supporters that have booked travel with the Pontypridd Supporters Club, the bus will leave Sardis Road at 1:15pm ahead of the 2:30pm kick-off. After the match the bus will head to Bargoed’s clubhouse before departing at 5:45pm. For any queries Phil Lycett’s telephone number is 01443 662561. 

We’ll see you tomorrow, ole!