The quest for silver wear is on for Pontypridd as they contemplate a crunch SWALEC Cup semi final tie at the Brewery Field against Carmarthen Quins on Saturday. (KO 2.30pm).
Despite a torrid period of late with league games coming in rapid succession, weekends and midweek, the Ponty squad will now lift themselves for a huge effort to secure a place in the final round. They will be cheered on by a large travelling support who themselves fancy the big day out at the Millennium Stadium.
Nothing can be taken for granted as Ponty face up to the cup challenge against a Quins team who beat them down at Carmarthen back in early September, and ran them close in a five try apiece thriller at Sardis Road just 10 days prior.
The medical room at Sardis has been a busy place of late, with many of the Ponty squad suffering minor aches and pains following their gruelling fixture itinerary.
Ruled out of the cup semi are centres Gary Williams and Dafydd Lockyer, with a dead leg and groin strain respectively, while prop Stuart Williams is still serving a disciplinary ban and no 8 Nathan Strong having just returned from honeymoon.
Rhys Lloyd is available, free from work duties, and fellow flanker Darren Waters making a welcome return from illness to take a place on the bench.
Pontypridd: 15.Aaron Bramwell. 14.Owen Williams. 13.Gavin Dacey – cpt. 12.Adam Thomas. 11.Chris Clayton. 10.Dean Gunter. 9.Rhys Downes. 1.Ken Knaggs. 2.Tom Hetherington. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Grant Harrington. 5.Chris Martenko. 6.Rhys Lloyd. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Chris Dicomidis.
Subs: Kristian Baller; Lewis Williams; Matthew Nuthall; Kristian Dacey; Darren Waters; Ryan Savage; Jon Williams.
