By Sparkie
April 25 2003

There are just a few hours to go until Pontypridd entertain Wasps in the second leg of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final. Wasps carry a handy 15-point advantage into the game but the rain clouds are gathering. Can the black and golden boys keep their nerve in the Sardis Road cauldron? The home supporters are amongst the most passionate and one-eyed in this land. Castle Grim's shed has got nothing on Pontypridd's massed choir. Add that to the fact that the home club is playing its last ever European fixture and suddenly Wasps focus needs to sharpen a stop or two.

Next season Ponty will be merged with localish rivals Bridgend. No name has been chosen for new Pontyend outfit yet but Lynn Howell's men will be keen to end Ponty's European sojourns with a win and a cup final outing.

Wasps won't take them lightly. Although the Welsh team has not played much of late, we'll expect them to rise to this occasion. Much will depend on how we settle in the opening quarter. If conditions underfoot become treacherous then we could struggle in the wet conditions. They are not our forté.

We'll be mindful of recent trips to the principality. We couldn't protect a nine point cushion in Llanelli in 1999-2000 and we had an absulute shocker in Swansea the following season. However, two weeks ago we won by three scores despite injuries to Josh Lewsey, Simon Shaw and Paul Volley. This time round they all play (Lewsey is in his preferred position of fullback) but Stuart Abbott (benched) and Fraser Waters (on the knee) are rested.

Mark Denney is recalled to hit up Ponty's midfield and Oogie Erinle gets another chance to show if his improved game can threaten, this time at outside centre. But it's the forwards which will be key to this encounter. We haven't lost by more than 14 points all season away from home. And we haven't lost an away leg in this competiton. We're not about to start.

London Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey; 14 John Rudd, 13 Ayoola Erinle, 12 Mark Denney, 11 Kenny Logan; 10 Alex King, 9 Rob Howley; 1 Craig Dowd, 2 Phil Greening, 3 Will Green, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Paul Volley, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (Capt.)

Bench: 16 Stuart Abbott, 17 Mark Van Gisbergen, 18 Martyn Wood, 19 Mark Lock, 20 Peter Scrivener, 21 Alistair McKenzie, 22 Trevor Leota.

Pontypridd: 15. Brett Davey; 14. Gareth Wyatt, 13. Sonny Parker, 12. Jon Bryant, 11. Emyr Lewis; 10. Ceri Sweeney, 9. Gareth Baber; 1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Mefin Davies (Capt.), 3. Duncan Bell, 4. Brent Cockbain, 5. Robert Sidoli, 6. Richard Parks, 7. Wayne O’Connor, 8. Dale McIntosh.

Bench: Shaun James, Neil Jenkins, Jonathan Hooper, Matthew Rees, Neil Hennessy/Sven Cronk, Mark Lewis, Nick Kelly/Geraint Lewis.

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