RGC v Pontypridd – Match Preview
Pontypridd travel to Parc Eirias to play RGC this Saturday 27th November, the tenth and final round of matches in the Indigo Premiership Cup Eastern pool kicking off at 2:30pm.
It’s all to play for as we head up north to Colwyn Bay – despite coming off the back of two losses against Merthyr and Cardiff, a win on Saturday against RGC will likely see us qualify for the knock-out stages (barring some unlikely anomalies).
The top 4 teams from each pool in the east and west go through to the knock-out stages – Ponty sit in 5th position, one place and two points behind RGC who are in the all important 4th and last qualification position. The home team are coming off three excellent wins – firstly at home against Merthyr and then two on the road against Newport and more recently last Friday at Ebbw Vale – only a huge performance from the Valley Commandos will suffice if Ponty are to secure the win and all important top four position in the pool.
There are some changes to the team that played Cardiff last week – the big news being a return for ex-Ponty favourite Diggy Bird. Diggy has re-joined the club on permit from Rhiwbina RFC and comes straight back into the starting XV to wear the fly-half jersey. Club captain Morgan Sieniawski is out injured after picking up a knock last week against Cardiff – vice captain Kristian Parker will lead the side in his absence. There are also returns to the starting line-up for club stalwart Rhys Shellard, James Little, Tom Devine, Joe Davies, Morgan Bosanko, Llywarch ap Myrddin and Ceri Morris – Morris’ selection at 12 allowing Brad Roderick to move to the outside centre berth.
The Pontypridd team selected to face RGC is as follows:
15. Llywarch ap Myrddin. 14. Joe Davies. 13. Bradley Roderick. 12. Ceri Morris. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Diggy Bird. 9. Dafydd Buckland
1. Tom Devine. 2. Nathan Huish. 3. Morgan Bosanko. 4.James Little. 5. Chris Dicomidis. 6. Kristian Parker ©. 7. Rhys Shellard. 8. Sam Evans.
Subs: 16. Ieuan Morris. 17. Lloyd James. 18. Tom Harper. 19. Jack Pope. 20. Cai James. 21. Sion Parry. 22. Morgan Richards. 23. Lucus Welch
To all the Ponty faithful making the trip to North Wales whether by plane, train or automobile – have a safe journey and we’ll see you at Parc Eirias on Saturday afternoon! Ole!
