Cross Keys v Pontypridd – match preview

Pontypridd set off on the National Cup trail with a tough assignment away to Cross Keys on Saturday 6th January, the match at Pandy Park kicking off at 2:30pm.

Losing finalists in last season’s competition, Pontypridd will be keen to progress against a team that they have already met twice in the league. Ponty claimed victory on both occasions, by 26pts to 12pts at Sardis Road in late September and by 7pts to 16 at Pandy Park on the first day of December.

There is a healthy tradition of cup rivalry between the two clubs, having met in the final on two recent occasions, Pontypridd claiming the trophy in 2014, avenging defeat by Cross Keys in the 2012 decider.

Pontypridd have struggled to clear a lengthy injury list in their preparations for the big game, but will be glad to see the return to fitness of full back Gary Williams, prop Keelan Marney and the back row trio of Morgan Sieniawski, Rhys Shellard and Hemi Barnes.

Prop Luke Leddington and hooker Will Haly are drafted in on permit from Blaenavon and USW respectively to cover on the bench.

The Pontypridd team selected to face Cross Keys is as follows:

15.Dale Stuckey. 14.Lewis Williams. 13.Geraint Walsh. 12.Dafydd Lockyer – cpt. 11.Alex Webber. 10.Ceri Sweeney. 9.Wayne Evans.

1.Huw Owen. 2.Joe Page. 3.Keelan Marney. 4.Sean Moore. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Morgan Sieniawski. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Hemi Barnes.

Subs: 16.Joel Raikes. 17.Diggy Bird. 18.Gary Williams. 19.Will Haly. 20.Sion Edwards. 21.Ross Morgan. 22.Luke Leddington. 23.Joe Popple.