Team: Pontypridd
Position: 5th
The Valley Commandos had a largely unsatisfying season this term despite finishing in a respectable 5th place. They began by suffering a dramatic red-time defeat to rivals Cardiff in the capital, despite being on top for a large portion of the game. The following week they were knocked out of the Specsavers Cup by Merthyr at the Wern before they earned their first victory of the season at home to Carmarthen Quins.
In October, Ponty suffered an away defeat to RGC before back to back wins against Ebbw Vale and Bridgend Ravens. At the Brewery Field it was Ponty this time who stole the game at the death with a try from the leagues top try scorer, Dale Stuckey and conversion by Diggy Bird.
More drama followed for Ponty the following month, first they were narrowly edged out by Aberavon, but made amends with another late-late show at Rodney Parade when a Morgan Richards try and Diggy Bird conversion sunk Newport, in a terrific advert for the Welsh Premiership. Then dispatched rivals Merthyr and gained revenge for their early cup exit as they stormed to a 31-7 win over the champions.
Back to back away losses to Llandovery and Swansea were followed by back to back home wins to Llanelli and Cardiff in December. Diggy Bird with the winning kick again as Ponty ended Cardiff’s unbeaten streak. The new year saw Ponty’s dominance at home but failure to win away continue, with losses to Carmarthen Quins and Ebbw Vale away and wins against RGC and Bridgend Ravens at home. They were beaten by Newport in their penultimate game before a second victory of the season over Merthyr. Finishing 3 points above Merthyr in 6th and 1 point below Llandovery is 4th.
The front row of Huw Owen, Nathan Huish and Morgan Bosanko seems to be a solid are for Ponty, dominating at set piece. Experienced backs Diggy Bird, Dafydd Lockyer and Dale Stuckey continue to hold the Ponty backline together but have been boosted by the likes of Wales age grade stars Ioan Evans, Morgan Richards and Mason Grady.
Former Ponty skipper and Cardiff Blues player Chris Dicomidis praised the Valley Commandos attack saying; “We played a good brand of attacking rugby which is evident with Dale Stuckey finishing top try scorer”. Dicomidis believes with the combination of experience and youth Ponty have they are more than capable of replicating their impressive home record on the road next season, adding “over time, the team will become more consistent”.
Haydn Evans 