PONTY SET FOR NEW PITCH AT SARDIS ROAD
THE long standing impasse over the status of the 3G pitch at Sardis Road has finally come to an end, with a favourable outcome for Pontypridd RFC.
A new playing surface is now being laid in readiness for the new Premiership campaign which kicks off at the end of August.
This will bring to a close a hugely frustrating and damaging episode that was instigated by complaints about the pitch back in early April.
Long, drawn out discussions and numerous inspections have ensued, involving World Rugby, WRU, local authorities, pitch suppliers and contractors.
Although complying fully with all investigations, Pontypridd RFC has been frustrated in its attempts to bring matters to a swift conclusion, relying on decisions made by others, which changed by the week if not sometimes by the day.
At the fore in representing the club, and bearing the brunt of the frustrations felt by supporters and partners, were the two who had previously put in so much effort into the acquisition of the new pitch, directors Jack Bayliss and Peter Howells.
“The situation over the past three months has been far from satisfactory,” explained Jack Bayliss. “We have been denied the use of our pitch for long periods whilst testing and investigations went on, with which we fully complied, but without being able to push for a final decision.
“We have been unable to make any definitive statements whilst this process went on, with the situation being a volatile and a sensitive one with so many parties involved, up to the highest levels of world rugby.
“We can only apologise to our supporters, our shareholders and partners for the delay in reaching this decision, but which was out of our hands.”
It will now be all systems go to get the playing surface renewed in time for the pre-season friendly against Clifton RFC on Saturday, August 19, with the opening Premiership fixture against Bedwas on the following weekend.