Top spot the target for King's Wizards

ABERAVON can overtake Neath as Premiership leaders tomorrow providing they win at Pontypool.

While the Swalec Cup quarter-finals occupy the minds of the other league title chasers this weekend, the Wizards can slip under the radar somewhat and claim top spot.

Head coach Simon King has the luxury of being able to recall a number of players who were rested for the victory over Tonmawr.

And with no new injury worries, Aberavon find themselves in a rude state of health ahead of the season run-in.

“We’ve never been in such a strong position at this stage of the season,” said King. “We’ve managed ourselves well.

“Long-term injured players like (prop) Tony Edwards, (centre) Will Price and (centre) Ben John are out, but everyone else is available.”

Pooler are second from bottom in the table and have lost their last two but King and his players know any trip to Gwent is a tough one.

And the Wizards chief, whose side have difficult games against fellow high-flyers Neath and Cross Keys before the end of the season, believes the next match is always the most important.

“Pontypool is the one we’re concentrating on,” he added. “They put 30 points on Cardiff recently so we’re under no illusions about the challenge.

“We’re at the top of the league, but we know how tough it will be.”

Teams

Pontypool; G O’Driscoll; G Williams, M Woodward, C Macey, R Budina; J Tovey, J Evans; H Gustafsson, L Davies, N Blake, D Critchley, R Jones, J Thomas, I Jones, T Organ. Reps; A Quick, T Hancock, D Roberts, M Barber, K Smith/ L Randall, R Buckley, J Jeune

Aberavon; H Thomas; R Carter, D Ritchie, Richard Thomas, Ricky Thomas, J Davies, D Pritchard, R Jenkins, G Harvey, C John, R Gierat, I Moore, D Thomas, N Strong, C Davies (capt). Reps; D Davies, C Evans, M Allen, E Yardley, S Williams, N White, R Morris