Matchday Preview – RGC v Pontypridd
Pontypridd are back on the road again this week heading north to Colwyn Bay to play RGC. The Indigo Group Premiership match at Parc Eirias on Saturday 9th April kicks-off at 2:30pm.
Incredibly, this is our fourth scheduled trip to play the North Walians this season – the first two matches were postponed, firstly due to the weather causing damage to Parc Eirias and then coronavirus in the Ponty camp put pay to the second match just prior to Christmas.
The clubs first met this season at Sardis Road in the Indigo Group Premiership Cup back in October last year. On that day Ponty edged a points-fest by a 40-38 score line.
When the Valley Commandos were finally able to lock horns with RGC up north on the 22nd January it was the final match in the pool stages of the Indigo Group Cup – RGC were sitting in the fourth and final qualification position with Ponty one place behind them in 5th. The points in the standings prior to the match meant that nothing other than a win would be sufficient for Ponty if they were to leapfrog the hosts and qualify for the knock-out stages. It was another close fought battle between the two clubs, another which went down to the wire and another that Ponty edged by a single score to win by 30 points to 25.
As we focus on this Saturday’s league match there’s the barest of margins separating the two teams in the table. Both clubs have 26 points in the current standings with Ponty in 3rd, just ahead of RGC in 4th courtesy of having more wins than their opponents.
Current league standings –
This week’s match promises to be another extremely close battle between the teams and both are up there with the best in terms of current league form. Ponty currently boast the best form in the division having won 5 games in a row. However RGC aren’t far behind having won 4 out of their last 5 matches and are coming fresh off a superb 32-31 win away at the Newport Stadium against table toppers and champions-elect Newport Sunday just gone – inflicting a first league defeat of the season on the ‘Port.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match, Ponty Team Manager Dan Godfrey said: “The players are looking forward to another trip up to RGC. They are always a tough side to play against. They have a strong set piece and backs that like to attack. We will have a good week preparing and we’ll hopefully keep the momentum going. Ole.”
The Ponty RFC Supporters Club aren’t organising travel for this match, but the team still needs as many of the Ponty faithful there on the day to help shout the lads to what would be another excellent win on the road!
The address for the ground is – Parc Eirias, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 7SP.
Safe travels Ponty Fans, we’ll see you all up north this coming Saturday! Ole!
