Llangennech v Pontypridd – Match Preview

On Saturday 21st September Pontypridd RFC travel away to play Llangennech RFC in the Admiral Premiership, the match at the Llangennech Main Field ground kicks off at 2:30pm.

Saturday will see a little piece of history being written with it being the first ever meeting between the two clubs. The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes last Saturday, Pontypridd started their season with a hard-earned bonus-point win against Bargoed, whilst Llangennech’s first ever Welsh Premiership outing ended in a 28-15 reverse at home against Newbridge.

A big crowd, buoyed by an expected large travelling contingent of Ponty supporters is expected on Saturday adding to what will no doubt be an excellent afternoon’s rugby between the two clubs.

TEAM NEWS –

Continuity is very much the key for the Valley Commandos following last weekend’s win over Bargoed, and as a result there’s only one change to Ponty’s starting XV to play Bois y Llan this Saturday.

The forwards remain unchanged with the only switch coming at scrum-half where Lucus Welch has been drafted in to start.

There are two new faces amongst the replacements, Sam Talbot and Dan Cotterell, and both could make their official club debuts this Saturday. For Cotterell it’ll be very much ‘take two’ after he was an unused substitute when Pontypridd won away at RGC on the final day of last season.

In terms of unavailability, Ioan Evans and Garyn Daniel are both still on the road to recovery following their pre-season operations whilst Mitch Barnard is still away on leave.

The Pontypridd team selected to play Llangennech is as follows:

15. Oli Shepherd. 14. Joe Davies. 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Jacob Symes. 9. Lucus Welch.

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

Subs: 16. Dylan Kelly. 17. Dan Cotterell. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Cole Parry. 20. Dylan John. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Sam Talbot. 23. Brandon Huntley.

GROUND INFORMATION –

Llangennech’s ground and their clubhouse are located in different, although close, locations. Firstly, the postcode for their ground is SA14 8TS and there is an overflow car park in the Owens Riverside Industrial Estate, which is the next left after their pitch.

Llangennech’s clubhouse is approximately 400 metres up the road from their ground – turn right after the Coop and go up over Church Hill – the postcode for this is SA14 8UB.

Saturday’s hosts have also erected a new stand which will be open this weekend, and their pitchside bar will be open from 1:30pm onwards.

SUPPORTERS TRAVEL –

The Pontypridd Supporters Club are organising travel to the match on Saturday and for supporters that have booked, the bus will be leaving Sardis Road at midday ahead of the 2:30pm kick-off before departing Llangennech at 5:45pm. Should anyone require it, Phil Lycett’s number is 01443 662561.

We’ll see you on Saturday #PontyFans.