Pontypool aim to stun Premiership leaders Llandovery

ASHLEY Sweet knows exactly what it takes to win the Indigo Premiership title having lifted the trophy with Ebbw Vale back in 2016.

Now the 34-year-old lock is hoping to stay on course to have another shot at ultimate glory with Pontypool.

He has won the Championship and WRU Championship Cup at Pooler, but now the big one is back in sight.

Few thought last season’s Championship Invincibles would be able to compete at the top end of the table in their first season back in the Premiership after a 12-year gap.

Just how far they can go this season could well depend on what they get out of Friday night’s game with reigning champions Llandovery.

It is the ultimate test for Sweet & Co as they seek to climb back into the top four to reach the play-offs.

They are currently nine points adrift of Cardiff with a game in hand.

Having beaten the Blue and Blacks 20-13 on home soil in their last outing two weeks ago, they now need to go one step further against top-dogs Llandovery.

“Llandovery are a good side and they showed that against us up there. But this time it’s at the Park and anything can happen,” said Sweet.

“It’s easier going into a game like this off the back of a win. There are things to work on as well but we took a lot of positives out of the win over Cardiff.”

That game saw Sweet reach 50 appearances for the club and once again underlined his value to the team in the engine room of the pack.

“I’m a Pontypool boy and it means an awful lot to hit 50 games at my age," said the forward, whose exploits with Ebbw earned a Dragons contract in 2016/17.

"We knew we needed to get back on the horse after losing at Pontypridd. We put in a performance, and with performances, results will come.

“We had a good run of form before Christmas, but then we hit a sticky patch.

"It hasn’t been down to a lack of endeavour or want from the boys and we’ve always within touching distance of teams.”

It was 37-21 to the Drovers when the two teams last met at Church Bank.

Llandovery have been beaten only once to date this season and have won their last four games, all away from home, by considerable margins – 43-7 against Ebbw Vale in the cup, 47-10 at Neath, 45-19 in Swansea and 54-26 at the Arms Park.

RIVALS: Newport will host Cardiff at Rodney Parade (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Second-placed Newport will be back at Rodney Parade on Saturday for one of the biggest derby fixtures in world rugby, when they go in search of another double over Cardiff.

They beat their arch-rivals 26-15 in November and are now only 10 points behind Llandovery with a game in hand.

Ty Morris’ men are unbeaten in their last eight games since losing 29-7 at Church Bank against the league leaders.

That run has given them a five-point cushion over third placed Ebbw Vale, who aren’t playing this weekend, and the eight wins al came with bonus-points.

“We’ve got consistency into our game and that is very pleasing. It will be great going back to Rodney Parade and any game against Cardiff is special,” said Morris.

“Both sides will raise their game and we know Cardiff are capable of beating anyone on their day.”

Premiership fixtures: Friday - Pontypool v Llandovery (7.30pm); Saturday - Aberavon v Merthyr, Bridgend v Neath, Carmarthen Quins v RGC, Newport v Cardiff, Swansea v Pontypridd.

Championship East: Beddau v Penallta, Cardiff Met v Rumney, Cross Keys v Glamorgan Wanderers, St Peters v Bargoed, Treorchy v Newbridge, Ystrad Rhondda v Bedwas.