Pontypridd Preview

Ebbw head to Sardis

By Robert Rees

Ebbw will be making the trip to Sardis Road for an amended 1pm kick-off this Saturday, which is good news for those who want to watch both the Steelmen and Wales.

The ‘Stadium of Pain’ isn’t an easy place to travel to for any side, but Ebbw will be hoping to overhaul a four-game losing streak! The sides met at the CiNER Glass Stadium, Eugene Cross Park for those of gone-by days, back in late September, the hosts coming out on top of that one, Dom Franchi grabbing the game’s lone try.

The last home tie saw Ebbw lose narrowly to Merthyr in what was a much-improved performance on bygone weeks, with plenty of young talent showing what they are capable of. The boys will be hoping to transfer their frustration at not being able to claw back victory a fortnight ago into a double of Ponty.

On a another Franchi note, supporters will be pleased to hear Joe Franchi’s bicep surgery has gone well and he’s on the road to recovery.

Ponty site just three points ahead of Greg Woods’ side, a gap he’s hoping to overhaul this weekend to send Ebbw up to fourth in the Premiership Cup East table.

Woods adding, “the artificial surfaces have done us well this season, we can’t wait to play on it. Everyone can see we’re playing a more expansive game, but we must make sure we are sharp in defence because Ponty play a similar way and can hurt us if we make mistakes.”

The last successful visit we made to Sardis Road was way back in 2016, ending with a 41-25 victory, and the travelling support will be hoping of a repeat of both that game and the most famous day in Ebbw’s modern history, our Principality Premiership – as it was then! – victory in 2015.

Make sure to get down to Sardis, bring your colours and make them #FEELTHESTEEL!!!