The Sardis departure lounge

With another season over and done for Pontypridd RFC, as has become the trend over the past few years, there are departures to announce from the club’s playing squad.

Flanker Lee Evans has accepted an offer from Neath RFC, the finances of which Pontypridd simply could not match, and will move on to represent the Welsh All Blacks next season. Outside half Neil Burnett is another player who has elected to depart, returning to his former club Merthyr RFC in division one west of the ASDA leagues.

Two players released by Pontypridd at the close of the season are full back Jason Pocock and hooker Lee Pearce, who are expected to link up with premiership rivals Glamorgan Wanderers and Bedwas respectively.

Three senior Blues Development players who were linked with Pontypridd have been released from their regional contracts, and will move on to pastures new. Centre Tom Riley will next season play for Newport RFC, hooker Duane Goodfield for the Newport Gwent Dragons region, and flanker Rhys Shellard for Cardiff RFC.

All the players departing Pontypridd RFC, for their varying reasons, have been good servants and stalwart performers, and leave with the sincere thanks and with the best wishes of everyone involved with the club.