Pontypridd v Aberavon – Matchday Preview
This Saturday 23rd March Pontypridd RFC welcome Aberavon RFC to Sardis Road in the Indigo Group Welsh Premiership. The match against the Wizards kicks off at 2:30pm.
Avon’s last visit to Sardis Road was just under 18 months ago on Saturday 8th October 2022 and despite there being just a single point between the sides at half-time, it was the away side that ran out 33-18 winners. Joe Miles and Nathan Huish scored Ponty’s tries that particular afternoon.
Saturday 12th January 2019, what’s the significance of this date? Remarkably that was the last time that a fixture between Pontypridd and Aberavon was won by the home side! On that occasion Ponty beat Avon by a 43-7 score-line. Since that day over a period of more than 5 years, the proceeding six fixtures have all been won by the away side – Pontypridd will be hoping Sardis proves to be home sweet home this Saturday to buck this trend.
Earlier this season on Saturday 18th November a penalty-try and three Josh Phillips penalties earned the Valley Commandos a hard-fought 16-10 win at the Talbot Athletic Ground. The win that afternoon built on a huge defensive effort from the team on the Port Talbot turf.
To the present and Ponty head into this week’s match having won a closely fought battle 25-22 against Merthyr last Thursday evening, whereas Avon had the weekend off. Back-to-back wins under Chris Dicomidis, Kristian Parker and Garyn Smith has kept Ponty’s top 4 chances alive, but Cardiff’s win away at Carmarthen last Friday has maintained the six-point buffer between the two clubs. Aberavon sit two places and six points behind Pontypridd in 7th place, but they have matches in hand and can also still make the top 4.
Taking everything into account, one has to realistically accept that defeat for either team on Saturday will signal the end of their top 4 play-off aspirations – once again the support of the Ponty fanatics will be absolutely crucial if the team are to keep the dream alive!
SUPPORTER INFORMATION:
Tickets – Admission on Saturday will be £12 full, £10 concession access-all-areas and under 16’s free if accompanied by a paying adult. You can purchase tickets on the day or to save time (which is recommended to miss the queues) you can use our online e-Ticket system, link – Pontypridd v Aberavon 23/3/2024 – The club has increased the range of tickets now available to cover small groups (2 people) and large groups (4 people). We also have a family ticket for our Youth and Mini & Junior sections.
Supporter access is via the Clubhouse end of the ground only as the Pwllgwaun end remains closed.
Club Shop – To purchase your Ponty RFC merchandise, the Club Shop will be open both before, during and after the match against Aberavon.
Live Sport In The Clubhouse – Our Clubhouse will be open from midday onwards and there will be a selection of live sport on throughout the afternoon – the pick of it being Saracens v Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership (3:05pm kick-off).
Ole!
