Back to the league

Following the euphoria of qualifying for the 2008 Konica Minolta Cup final last weekend, Pontypridd return to the long haul of the league this Friday evening, with a trip to face newly crowned champions Neath.

The game will inevitably be played under a shadow cast by the recent serious injury to Neath, and former Ponty scrum half Gareth Jones. The thoughts of all concerned from both camps are with “Snid” and his family.

Pontypridd still have aspirations of finishing second in the premier division this season, and their destiny lies in their own hands, but with plenty to do in achieving that aim. Lying in fifth position, five points behind second placed Cardiff, Ponty will hope that other results go their way, and will have to secure two away wins at Neath and Cardiff over the coming week.

Preparations for the Neath encounter have been hampered by a crop of injuries amongst the Ponty squad. In addition to previous absentees Gavin Close, Rhys Downes, Stuart Williams and Ryan Harford, the latest casualties are full back Lawrence Price (shoulder), centre Adam Thomas (groin), fly half Gareth McCarthy (ankle), flanker Lee Evans (rib) and no 8 Geraint Lewis (knee). Outside half Neil Burnett is unavailable, and winger Kristian Baller will require a late fitness test on an ankle problem, in the hope of covering on the Ponty bench.

Scrum half Glen Holloway has been called up on permit from Llantrisant as a replacement, with Jason Pocock making a return at full back, and Matthew Hutchings stepping up to take the outside half berth. Amongst the forwards, Chris Martenko is selected following a spell back with his club of origin, Gilfach.

The Pontypridd team to face Neath is named as follows:

15.Jason Pocock. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Trystan Lazarus. 12.Tom Riley. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Matthew Hutchings. 9.Andrew Jenkins.

1.Ian Poley. 2.Rhys Williams. 3.Sam Hobbs. 4.Chris Martenko. 5.Grant Harrington. 6.Wayne O’Connor. 7.Rhys Shellard. 8.Nathan Strong – cpt.

Subs from: Paul Matthews; Kristian Baller / A.N. Other; Glen Holloway; Owen Cotton; Leighton Davies; Ryan Savage; Chris Dicomidis.