It will be a case of starting all over as Pontypridd RFC resurrect their season from its mid-winter shut down with a home SWALEC Cup tie against Felinfoel RFC. The match will be played at Sardis Road on Saturday 23d January, kicking off at 2:30pm.
A first taste of action in the national cup competition will be as good a way as any for Pontypridd to get their campaign up and running, having played only one fixture in the past three months.
There will be a warm welcome at Sardis for Felinfoel, a team who currently lie mid-table in Division One West of the Welsh leagues.
Despite their period of inactivity, Pontypridd have a quota of players sidelined through injury.
Centre Dafydd Lockyer is just commencing his recuperation from a groin operation, with prop Stuart Williams and lock Grant Harrington out with hamstring and abdominal strains respectively.
Centre Gavin Dacey serves the last few days of a five week ban whilst backs Matt Hutchings and Lee Thorne are cup tied, having represented Ystrad Rhondda and Llanharan earlier in the competition.
Aaron Bramwell slots in at centre for Ponty, with Dean Gunter returning to partner Kristian Baller as half backs. Prop Jon Williams and flanker Darren Waters are given their opportunities to impress amongst the forwards. There is a welcome return from long term injury for scrum half / centre Gavin Morris who will take a place on the bench.
Pontypridd:
15. Matthew Nuthall. 14. Chris Clayton. 13. Aaron Bramwell. 12. Adam Thomas. 11.Lewis Williams. 10. Dean Gunter. 9. Kristian Baller.
1. Jon Williams. 2. Huw Dowden. 3. Ryan Harford. 4. Chris Martenko. 5. Ryan Savage. 6. Chris Dicomidis. 7. Darren Waters. 8. Nathan Strong – cpt.
Subs: Rhys Downes; Gavin Morris; Gary Williams; Tom Hetherington; Rhys Lloyd; Wayne O’Connor; Lewis Smout.
