Match Preview – Bridgend v Pontypridd
Pontypridd play Bridgend Ravens on Saturday 14th January, the Indigo Group Premiership match at the Dunraven Brewery Field kicks off at 2:30pm.
The two clubs have already met twice this season and both have one win apiece to their name. On Saturday 17th September 2022 Bridgend won 30-26 in the Welsh Cup. The following weekend Ponty enjoyed a 40 points to 8 win in the league – both matches took place at Sardis Road.
Ponty’s last visit to the Dunraven Brewery Field was on Thursday 17th March 2022 during last season’s shortened league campaign. A stylish performance from the Valley Commandos saw them take the spoils by 54 points to 17 that night.
The Team News…
Earlier in the week the Club announced a change in the coaching structure with Gareth Wyatt and Lee Davies now taking charge of on-field matters as Joint Head Coaches. Unfortunately there is a lengthy list of absentees who are all nursing injuries – players unavailable for Saturday include Cally James, Niko Matawalu, Joseph Scrivens, Rory Harries, Chris Dicomidis and Lloyd Rowlands.
Ponty have made four changes to last week’s starting XV. In the backs Dale Stuckey and Ceri Morris make returns whilst up front Ben Stephens and James Little come back into the front-five.
On the bench Lucus Welch returns to the matchday squad and there’s a potential Pontypridd debut for young hooker Gavin Parry from Coleg y Cymoedd.
The Pontypridd team selected to play Bridgend is as follows:
15. Alex Lloyd. 14. Sam Hayman. 13. Tommy Morgan. 12. Ceri Morris. 11. Dale Stuckey. 10. Ben Burnell. 9. Joel Raikes
1. Ben Stephens. 2. Rob Jones. 3. Tom Harper. 4. Kris Parker (c). 5. James Little. 6. Cai James. 7. Sion Parry. 8. Joe Miles
Subs: 16. Gavin Parry. 17. Tom Devine. 18. Garyn Daniel. 19. Mitch Barnard. 20. Aled Ward. 21. Lucus Welch. 22. Jordan Howells. 23. Ewan Skuse
Dunraven Brewery Field Address…
For Ponty Fans making your way to the ground, the address for your sat-nav is Dunraven Brewery Field, Tondu Road, Bridgend CF31 4JE.
