Ponty are up for the cup as Vale visit

CHRIS Dicomidis insists his Pontypridd side are ready to click into gear ahead of today’s clash with Ebbw Vale at Sardis Road.

Pontypridd have a 50 per cent win ration in this season’s Premiership Cup and have fallen narrowly short on several occasions.

But Dicomidis, who has played international rugby for Cyprus, believes his side aren’t far away from hitting their straps.

“We are in these games but it’s just about the little one percenter we talk about every week,” he said.

“If we get them right, we won’t be far away from giving somebody an absolute hiding as well. We are ready to go against Ebbw Vale.

“It’ll be a tough ask because they are a very good side but playing at Sardis Road gives us that extra five per cent.

“We are also comfortable playing at Sardis, and comfortable on the 3G pitch.

“Ebbw Vale are a very good side and we only narrowly lost to them away from home earlier in the season.

“That day we were in the fight but just a couple of percentage points off our best.

“It’s very fine margins in this league but I firmly believe we are heading in the right direction and I’m looking forward to this game.”

Elsewhere, in the eastern conference Cardiff faced Newport last night at the Arms Park, while RGC 1404 welcome Merthyr to Parc Eirias today. Merthyr will be strong favourites to emerge victorious in Colwyn Bay, with RGC having won just one game this season.

In the western conference, Bridgend hosted bottom side Llanelli at the Brewery Field last night while Carmarthen travel to Church Bank to face local rivals Llandovery. Euros Evans’ Llandovery are a mere one point off the top of the table, while Quins are also in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

“Win the contact are and you win games,” said Carmarthen Quins coaching consultant Josh Turnbull.

“We need to front up against a really strong pack, but we are looking forward to the challenge. We’ve been good this season, but we need to keep improving week to week.”

Leaders Aberavon will face fourth-placed Swansea at St Helen’s as they look to maintain their position as the early season pacesetters. Jason Hyatt has named a very strong Aberavon side including former Scarlets outside-half Aled Thomas and former Wales under 20s prop Nicky Thomas.