By Zippy
October 29 2004

Preview of this weekends action in the Welsh Premiership, Ponty travel to the "World Of Hurt" in Aberavon looking for a win after a long break

Aberavon vs Pontypridd

Saturday 30th October KO 1430

Talbot Athletic Ground, Aberavon

From Pontypridd.co.uk

The Pontypridd team will be anxious to get in some play time  this week-end following a prolonged lay off from competitive league action, their last scheduled engagement away to Bedwas called off due to a waterlogged pitch last week-end. Ponty are due to travel to Aberavon for a premiership tie on Saturday 30^th October, the game at the Talbot Athletic ground kicking off at 2:30 pm.

Languishing mid table in the premier division, Ponty will realise the value of an away win against a team poised just below them in the table, one point adrift but with games in hand. Aberavon in turn will no doubt give the Valley Commandos an intimidating welcome at the “World of Hurt”, as tradition dictates that no game at the Talbot Athletic could ever be expected to be easy.

Ponty will be boosted by the return to fitness of lock and skipper Dale McIntosh, having regained match fitness following a long term shoulder injury incurred during the first game of the season at Cardiff. Another senior statesman of the Ponty squad will also make a return to action in the form of centre Jason Lewis, who will line up in  a new look midfield partnership with up and coming youngster Greg Evans.

There are changes made on rota in the front row, with props Stuart Willams and Ryan Harford due to pack down each side of hooker Ben Phillips, and with Blues regional squad member Mark Lewis filling the blindside flanker’s berth, having impressed with a two try tally on his seasonal debut for Ponty against Pontypool.

There is more encouraging news on the fitness front, with full back Lloyd Warner having made sufficient recovery from his broken wrist to be given a run out on permit for Tondu this week-end, and with lock Craig Hughes also back in full contact training following a persistent achilles tendon injury.

The Pontypridd team named to face Aberavon on Saturday is as follows:-

15.Jason Pocock. 14.Richard Fussell. 13.Greg Evans. 12.Jason Lewis. 11.Darren Berry. 10.Dai Flanagan. 9.Carl Thomas.

1.Stuart Williams. 2.Ben Phillips. 3.Ryan Harford. 4.Dale McIntosh. cpt. 5.Chris Martenko. 6.Mark Lewis. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.

Subs: Morgan Stoddart; Paul John; Gerald Cox; Duane Goodfield; Geraint Liddon; Grant Harrington; Rhys Shellard.

Pontypridd will be in action against Newport on BBC2W next Wednesday.