With the league trophy at stake, this encounter is a direct re-run of last season’s event, with Ponty again having finished top of the league proper and wary of allowing Llanelli the opportunity of coming to Sardis and snatching the silverware from their grasp.

Revenge for that agonising 18pts to 24 defeat to Llanelli a year ago, and recovery from their disappointing defeat to Cross Keys in the Swalec Cup Final last time out, will be the motivation for Pontypridd.

Ponty and Llanelli have shared the honours in their league fixtures this season, both enjoying home victories in close fought encounters by 29pts to 16 and 24pts to 16 respectively. With both teams committed to an enterprising brand of rugby and willing to give youth its head, the Play-Off Final is all set to be a dramatic finale to the season.

On the injury front, Pontypridd are without the services of prop Ryan Harford with a neck strain, joining long term absentees wing Owen Williams, fly half Simon Humberstone, scrum half Garyn Lucas and no8 Owen Sheppeard all with knee ligament damage, and hooker Jack Dando with a dislocated shoulder.

Young prop Chris Phillips has recovered from a leg injury to take a place on the bench, with Adam Thomas returning from Wales Sevens duties to slot in at full back. The game will be a landmark event for hooker Huw Dowden, making his 100^th club appearance.

The Pontypridd team selected to face Llanelli is as follows:

15.Adam Thomas. 14.Chris Clayton. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Dafydd Lockyer. 11.Matthew Nuthall. 10.Lewis K Williams. 9.Lewis Jones.

1.Stuart Williams. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Ryan Savage. 6.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Subs: Rhys Downes; Gareth Wyatt; Gary Williams; Darran Harris; Jake Thomas; Cory Hill; Chris Phillips.

Preparations have been psychological as well as physical as coaches and players have been exorcising the ghosts of a below par performance in the Swalec Cup Final in which they conceded defeat to Cross Keys.

The aim now is to hit the ground running in what will be a dramatic climax to the season in the Play-Off Final, as Ponty senior coach Dale McIntosh explained.

“The whole season comes down to the final eighty minutes against Llanelli – probably the most crucial eighty minutes for Ponty in the semi pro era” said McIntosh.

“We will need to fly into Llanelli with no holds barred, that must be our response to last week’s cup final defeat.

“Llanelli are looking sharp at the end of the season and will provide us with a huge challenge.”

Pontypridd have already finished the campaign as league leaders, but in a carbon copy repeat of last season’s Play-Off Final, know full well that the trophy must be rightfully claimed on the night. On that occasion Llanelli came to Sardis Road and took the silverware home with them. A commitment to prevent that happening again will be motivation enough for the Ponty squad.

Another bumper crowd is expected at Sardis Road on Friday evening to witness the title showdown, and Dale McIntosh will relish the occasion.

“I hope that there will be a big turnout for the game” said McIntosh “and that our supporters can maintain their faith in us as players and coaches.

“It should be a great spectacle between two teams committed to attacking rugby, and a great occasion to end the season.

“We can only give a commitment as a squad that we will turn up and give everything for the club jersey and for the club support.”

The nineteen year old Tonyrefail product has been a star performer for Ponty at the end of the current campaign, grasping fully the opportunities that came his way following a recent knee injury suffered by Simon Humberstone. A number of match winning performances have been produced by Williams, who has been a key figure in the club’s push to a top finish in the Premiership.

A current Wales under 20 international, Williams has now been released from his contract with the Blues Academy, and will from next season be registered fully as a Pontypridd player.

Good tactical awareness, an ability to bring his back line into play and excellent kicking skills are the virtues that have already made Williams a firm favourite with Ponty supporters, and have earned him the nickname “Special K”.

The league campaign ended with Ponty, for a second year running topping the table, just two points ahead of second placed Llanelli after what had been an enthralling battle for honours.

A Play-Off semi final win for Llanelli over third placed Aberavon duly secured their passage to the Grand Final.

The final showdown at Sardis Road on Friday evening 18^th May – 7:35pm kick off time and screened live on S4C – will be a repeat of last season’s encounter. Llanelli came to Sardis on that occasion and seized the Premiership trophy from Pontypridd with a 18pts to 24 win.

There are scores to settle, there is a huge amount of pride at stake, and of course there is the tangible piece of silverware that goes to the Play-Off Final victors to be claimed.

All in all, this is one big game that signals a big end to the 2011 – 2012 season.

Supporters are requested to turn up in good time at Sardis Road for the Play-Off Final, as a typically large crowd is expected for the crunch tie, and to avoid congestion at the gates leading up to kick off time.

The game will be an all ticket affair, with entry charged at £15 (£10 concessions) to the Grandstand and £10 (£8 concessions) to the Ground. Children under 11 will be allowed in free if accompanied by an adult.

Staff representing the new Sainsbury’s superstore which will open in Pontypridd in early July, will be on hand at the gates to sell raffle tickets, with a signed Ponty shirt and ball as prizes.

Its all to play for as the season draws to a close for Pontypridd. Its another huge occasion not to be missed – we’ll all be there.

• Pontypridd v Llanelli
• Premiership Play-Off Grand Final
• Friday 18^th May 2012
• 7:35pm ko