PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP
JUSTIN Burnell has warned runaway Principality Premiership leaders Merthyr that Pontypridd will be ready to pounce if they fall at the final hurdle.
Pontypridd slipped to a disappointing defeat to Cardiff on New Year’s Day which has left them eight points behind the Ironmen.
But Burnell is confident his side can peg back the defending champions starting with today’s clash with Aberavon at Sardis Road (5.15pm).
“You’ve got to stay in the fight and it isn’t over until the fat lady sings,” said the former Cardiff Blues coach.
“Both Merthyr and Cardiff have got to come to Sardis Road so we’ll be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
“We are sitting tightly on the inside cwtched into the railings and we’ll wait until that final furlong to see who wins it at the post.
“We are back at Sardis Road this weekend which is a big thing for us especially with our partisan crowd.
“We’ve played 17 league games and scored 87 tries so for us it’s about putting a marker down at home and playing the style we want to play.
Despite their being their slip-up against arch rivals Cardiff Burnell insists there is a relaxed mood in camp.
But he has warned his players not to underestimate an Aberavon side who are sixth in the table.
He said: “Aberavon are a good side and were in the fight against Merthyr right up until the death. They play a very similar style of rugby to us and they have some exciting players.
“Any side that can push Merthyr that hard are going to be very difficult to beat.
“They have a strong pack but there’s also a lot of football in their back division.
“But we are up for the challenge and hopefully it will be a great spectacle for the TV and a good advert for Premiership rugby.”
Ebbw Vale hosted RGC 1404 last night.
Llandovery, who racked up over a century of points against Beddau in the cup last weekend, welcome struggling Bedwas to Church Bank today, while Merthyr are strong favourites to consolidate their position at the top of the table with a home clash against Llanelli.
Cross Keys will be hoping to take advantage of crisis club Neath as they travel to The Gnoll, with the Welsh All Blacks also having this week been docked six points by the WRU for failing to fulfil league fixtures against Bedwas and RGC.
Carmarthen Quins will be expected to comfortably beat Bargoed.
One of the fixtures of the round sees Cardiff face off against arch rivals Newport at Rodney Parade.
The Blue & Blacks are third in the table just one point behind Pontypridd and are riding high after their New Year’s Day win.
Swansea host Bridgend at St Helen’s in the other fixture.
The All Whites have crept out of the danger zone after a great round of results in December and now have a 10-point cushion in 10th place.