Pontypridd v Bedwas – match preview

Pontypridd host Bedwas on Saturday 30th December in the first round of the extended sixteen team Premiership, the match at Sardis Road kicking off at 2:30pm.

This will be the third encounter between the clubs this season, with honours so far shared in the Premiership East conference. In the opening game of the new campaign Bedwas recorded an impressive 27pts to 39 victory at Sardis Road, with Ponty taking the verdict by 15pts to 37 at the Bridge Field in the return fixture at the end of October.

Both clubs have impressed during the first part of the season, Ponty finishing second and Bedwas third in the east table.

Pontypridd have a number of injury problems following an abrasive contest against Cardiff last time out. Full back Gary Williams with a hamstring strain, props Jon Elley and Keelan Marney with back and foot problems respectively, hooker Huw Dowden with an achilles strain and flankers Morgan Sieniawski and Rhys Shellard with ankle and neck problems, are all out of contention.

Drafted in from the Blues squad are props Corey Domachowski and Kieran Assiratti, with Sean Moore having recovered from a fractured toe to take a place in the back row.

The Pontypridd team named to face Bedwas is as follows:

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

1.Corey Domachowski. 2.Iestyn Harris. 3.Kieran Assiratti. 4.Josh Hawkins. 5.Chris Dicomidis. 6.Sean Moore. 7.Ross Morgan. 8.Hemi Barnes.

Subs: 16.Jamie Hill. 17.Diggy Bird. 18.Geraint Walsh. 19.Joe Page. 20.Sion Edwards. 21.Alun Lawrence. 22.Huw Owen. 23.Joe Popple.