By Webmaster
October 24 2002

Cardiff are the visitors to Sardis Road this weekend for a battle to decide home advantage in the quarter finals of the Celtic League. For a full match preview read on.

Match Preview

Pontypridd vs. Cardiff

Saturday 26th October - 5.30pm

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        Pontypridd will be looking to extend their seven match unbeaten run when Cardiff head to the House Of Pain for the final match of Pool B of the Celtic League. Both sides are guaranteed a place in the quarter finals however, it is necessary to win this match for home advantage in the quarters.

    Pontypridd go into the game with only one major injury worry - Duncan Bell. He has picked up a mystery back injury which could be a long term problem. However, Ponty will be able to turn to Neil Hennessy to take Big Dunc's place should be unfit to play. Hennessy has only featured in a couple of matches for Ponty this year and despite the fact that he is able to play both loosehead and tighthead prop, he is more suited to the loosehead role.

    Lyn Howells has been speaking to the official website this week and he said "They are certainly a difficult side to break down as we have seen, even though they are losing games, there are not many tries being scored against them. I think on Saturday evening, it will be something of a war of attrition, and could well come down to a kicking game - the team that concedes the least penalties will claim the result. It will be a big concentration game, where we will have to focus for the full eighty minutes, otherwise the other team will win". Does this mean that Neil Jenkins will get the nod at outside half ahead of the recently impressive Ceri Sweeney?

   Despite having a near full squad to choose from Howells has decided not to name his team until closer to kick off. Dai Young on the other hand has named a team which contains 4 changes to the one that lost in Ulster last weekend. Joh Tait has replaced Adam Jones in the second row, Peter Rogers comes into the front row, Anthony Sullivan returns to the wing in place of Nick Walne and Ryan Powell starts at scrum half due to Richard Smith being injured.

   Overall we can expect an entertaining encounter between the two rivals and hopefully Ponty will come out on top and guarantee themselves a home quarter final.

Key men for Pontypridd: Brett Davey - Point to prove to Steve Hansen?

                                    Neil Jenkins - His goal kicking skills could be crucial

                                    Mefin Davies - Will get the forwards going and let the backs do the rest

Key man for Cardiff:  Craig Morgan - Keep the ball away from him and there shouldn't be too many problems

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