Neath hoping for boost after tough week

NEATH have been busy putting out fires this week as speculation over their long-term future, and debts they owe to the taxman, overshadows matters on the field.

Chairman Geraint Hawkes moved quickly to quash reports the Gnoll club was in danger of going out of business, telling fans that the money needed to pay HMRC would be found.

The situation has reared its head in between cup and league meetings with Pontypridd with the valleys outfit winning the former in Neath last weekend.

Patrick Horgan’s men will have to put that, and the Welsh All Blacks’ financial troubles, behind them as they head to Sardis Road for the Premiership encounter tomorrow.

While Neath are looking good at the top of the table, their injury woes continued after the defeat last Saturday with coach Horgan admitting his team has “a mountain to climb” if they want to gain revenge for their cup exit.

“We picked up a couple more knocks last week and we have a real mountain to climb if we are to overturn the cup result,” he said. “They say that a side’s true character shines through in adversity and our squad has been fully tested in that respect this season and responded.

“The inspiration of playing at an atmospheric Sardis Road may be just what we need as Ponty are using the game as part of Owen Smith MP’s campaign to revise regional rugby with a supporters’ rally up there.”

Pontypridd are aiming for a third win over Neath this season following an 18-13 victory in late October before their 23-10 quarter-final success seven days ago.

Dale McIntosh makes five changes, one positional, from the line-up which faced Neath last Saturday with winger Lewis I Williams, centre Gary Williams and scrum-half Rhys Downes drafted and Dafydd Lockyer moving from inside to outside centre.

In the back row, Owen Sheppeard is given a start while hooker Darran Harris, back from Wales under-20s duties, is called up to the bench.

Teams

Pontypridd

15. G Wyatt; 14. L I Williams. 13 D Lockyer, 12. G Williams, 11. M Nuthall; 10. S Humberstone, 9. R Downes; 1. S Williams, 2. H Dowden, 3. P Palmer, 4. C Locke, 5. R Savage, 6. C Dicomidis (capt), 7. W O’Connor, 8. O Sheppeard. Reps – L Jones, L K Williams, G Dacey, D Harris, J Thomas, D Godfrey, K Knaggs

Neath

15. A. Bramwell; 14. K James, 13. G King, 12. G McCarthy, 11. E Jones; 10. D Langdon, 9. C Morgans; 1. O Ford, 2. R Clancy/A James, 3. J Reeves, 4. R Jones, 5. A Powell, 6. M Rees, 7. L Evans, 8. G Gravell (captain). Reps – TBC