Ponty travel to Llandovery in final pre-season encounter

Pontypridd travel to face Premiership rivals Llandovery in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday 18th August, the game at the Church Bank Fields kicking off at 2:30pm.

Having registered home wins over Ystrad Rhondda and Llantrisant in the previous two warm up games, Ponty will now step up a significant level in preparation for the competitive season to come.

In recognition of the task in hand, a strong starting line up has been named by the Ponty coaches, with the remainder of the squad available to appear from an extended replacements’ bench which will include such quality performers as full back Adam Thomas and flankers Ed Siggery and Rhys Shellard..

Outside half Simon Humberstone makes his comeback from a recent knee operation, with centre Gavin Dacey also coming in for a first start of the pre-season. Promising youngsters Geraint Walsh, Owen Jenkins and Tom Pascoe are given another opportunity to impress at full back, wing and centre respectively.

Craig Locke has recovered from a calf strain to pack down beside club skipper Chris Dicomidis in the second row.

Team Manager Richard Langmead underlined the significance of the Llandovery clash in naming the squad. “This will be a big step up for us in our pre-season build up and will be as close to an all-out league encounter as can be had.

“Llandovery were a form team in the Premiership last season, pushing all the way for honours, and to meet them on their own patch this early will be a big call for us.

“We have players jostling for selection in every position, and this game is another opportunity for them to impress.”

The Pontypridd team selected to face Llandovery is as follows:

15.Geraint Walsh. 14.Owen Jenkins. 13.Gavin Dacey. 12.Tom Pascoe. 11.Owen Williams. 10.Simon Humberstone. 9.Carl Thomas.
1.Scott Roberts. 2.Huw Dowden. 3.Pat Palmer. 4.Craig Locke. 5.Chris Dicomidis – cpt. 6.Jake Thomas. 7.Wayne O’Connor. 8.Dan Godfrey.