British and Irish Cup semi-final preview

Posted on Apr 18, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Pontypridd’s triple assault on silverware continues this weekend as they welcome Bristol to Sardis Road in the semi- final of the British & Irish Cup. Known as the ‘House of Pain’ because of its intimidating atmosphere, Sardis Road has become a fortress for Pontypridd over the years.

Dale McIntosh’s men have not lost on home soil in 21 games and have taken some notable scalps there in European days gone by – not least Leicester.

Pontypridd go into the tie with Bristol as Welsh Premiership league leaders, holding a three- point advantage over Neath, as well as looking forward to an appearance at the Millennium Stadium in the Swalec cup final against Aberavon on May 2nd. Victory on Saturday will guarantee that they will be back at Sardis Road five days later, on May 7th, for the final of the British & Irish Cup where they will meet the winners of the Bedford vs. Worcester tie.

In what is a curtain- raiser to the Championship semi- final between the two sides on May 1st, the other B&I Cup semi- final pits together the sides that finished second and first in the table during the regular season. Worcester won both the previous encounters, including a 28-18 success at Goldington Road in mid- October, however the Blues can take heart from the fact that the result was in the balance until Marcel Garvey raced away for an intercept try right at the death. Worcester won 32-0 in the return game at Sixways at the beginning of 2011.

Bees hoping for ice-free trip to Wales

Posted on Jan 24, 2011 in Rugby News

Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club travel to Wales for the second time in a week on Tuesday 25th January to face Pontypridd (KO 7.30pm) in the B&I Cup.

The Bees travelled to fellow Welsh side Llandovery last Saturday, only for the game to be postponed following a late pitch inspection.

Pontypridd is in itself a re-arranged fixture, with the original game falling victim to the adverse weather conditions that swept the country just before Christmas.

With a tough trip to Moseley on Saturday Director of Rugby, Russell Earnshaw has shuffled his pack slightly for the trip to Sardis Road. The game will also see competitive debuts for Bees’ two new signings Ian Davey and Sam Cox.

“Both lads have come in and trained well over the last week or so,” explained Earnshaw, “so it makes sense to get them in and see what they can do, especially with some important fixtures coming up”.

Ross Noonan comes into the side at second row and Tomasi Tanumi takes the place of Simon Hunt on the wing, who has jetted off on International duty with the England Sevens.

The Bees team to face Pontypridd at Sardis Road on Tuesday 25th January (KO 7.30pm) is: 1.Mauro Sperandio, 2.Ben Gerry, 3.Joe Reid, 4.Danny Wright, 5.Ross Noonan, 6.Mark Hopley, 7.Jack Bentall, 8.Adam Clayton, 9.Jimmy Williams, 10.Rod Petty, 11.Ian Davey, 12.Sam Cox, 13.Ben Barkley, 14.Tomasi Tanumi, 15.Ollie Winter

The replacements are: 16.Rod Dugard, 17.Leo Halavatau, 18.Ross McMillan, 19.Semisi Taulava, 20.Will Webster, 21.Ed Binham, 22.Will Lawson

Meanwhile, the Llandovery fixture has now been re-arranged for Valentines Day, Monday 14th February (KO 7.30pm).

Principality Premiership Player of the Month

Posted on Dec 9, 2009 in Rugby News

Cardiff outside half Gareth Davies has won the Principality Premiership Player of the Month award for November.

Davies is currently with the Wales Sevens squad in Dubai having caught the eye of Paul John and the Wales Sevens management team.

Principality Premiership holders Cardiff are currently fifth in the table but only three points behind leaders Neath, and were the only Welsh side to win both their opening British and Irish Cup ties in November, beating Pontypridd 22-16 and Birmingham & Solihull 51-20. Davies has amassed 145 points already this season, already closing in on last year’s tally of 208.

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Rhys Downes: Principality Premiership Player of the Month

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

Pontypridd scrum half Rhys Downes has won the Principality Premiership Player of the Month award for October.

Nathan Strong’s side are currently top of the Principality Premiership table, despite their last two games being called off, after winning their last six games on the trot, and nine of their 11 games to date. They won all five of their October games, beating Bedwas, the Wanderers and Cardiff away from home and Swansea and Newport at Sardis Road.

Downes played in four of those five October victories, scoring tries in the wins over Swansea and Newport.

Principality Premiership head coaches, WRU and Regional academy staff, and selected journalists select the winner who receives £100 from the Principality Building Society, title sponsors of the competition.

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