Bedwas bring in changes for Neath clash

Mar 28 2008 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

BEDWAS may have beaten second-placed Cardiff convincingly last week, but coach Steve Law has still made five changes in his starting line-up to take on leaders Neath at Bridge Field.

Academy wing Jimmy Norris replaces Nathan Hill on the left flank and Law goes for two back-row replacements, rather than two props on the bench, where the only cover is youngster Dafydd Lewis.

Neath will be without James Merriman and skipper Lloyd Beach and centre Dafydd Lockyer has suffered a repeat of the groin injury that has sidelined him for most of the season.

Glamorgan Wanderers and Newport will be playing cat and mouse tactics as the two clubs meet in a cup quarter-final tie in seven days. The most interesting decision by Wanderers coach Richard Hodges is the placing of the young Warburton brothers, Sam and Ben, on the bench, along with skipper Matthew Bolton.

Lock Nicky Kelly leads the team and Garyn Lucas, who usually partners his brother Ross at Rhydyfelin, gets the nod at scrum half. Youngsters Huw Dowden and Scott Andrews are also among the replacements, while Nathan Trevett gets a chance to start on the loose-head.

Cardiff coach Justin Burnell has not named a side since playing and winning at Neath. His tactics have left some coaches feeling that supporters are being short-changed and programmes becoming worthless, while there are some clubs who name a completely different side to the one that turns out.

The only likelihood in the Cardiff team is that Leigh Halfpenny could return after being rested by the WRU following the Under-20 matches.

Ebbw Vale moved back to fourth by defeating Newport on Tuesday, but their eyes may also be on the cup next week and several players are away on Sevens duties. They have borrowed former Wanderers scrum half Gareth Williams from Neath.

Aberavon make ten changes from the side that beat Neath as they visit Swansea and Cross Keys go for youth and pace behind the scrum with Matthew Pewtneer a debutant wing against Maesteg. Teenager Matthew Pewtner makes his senior debut on the Keys right wing.

Pontypridd have a huge injury list that now includes Stuart Williams, Chris Clayton, Duane Goodfield and skipper Nathan Strong.

Pontypridd: M Hutchings; L Price, G Dacey (capt), A Thomas, K Baller; G McCarthy, A Jenkins , S Hobbs, L Davies, R Harford, R Savage, C Dicomidis, L Evans, G Lewis, W O’Connor. Reps: J Pocock, P Matthews, N Burnett, I Poley, L Pearce, G Harrington, R Shellard.

Glamorgan Wanderers: G Morris; H Williams, A James, S Rosser, J Thatcher; M Roper, G Lucas; N Trevett, R Emms, A Murphy, N Kelly (capt), G Knight, R Thomas, M Grimes, B Rose. Reps: H Dowden, M Bolton, S Andrews, S Warburton, B Warburton, C Morris, H Trelawney.

Bedwas: S Thomas; S Horner, J Tovey, D Atkins, J Norris; J Welch (capt), J Pizey; G Leonard, B Edwards, K Jenkins, C Powell, R Edwards, P Sargent, N Lewis, R Downes. Reps: G Crothers, G Miles, D Lewis, K Crawford, A Brown, A Tibbatts, B Lampitt.

Cross Keys: J Leadbetter; M Pewtner, J Pocock, S Regan, M Johnstone; S Sneddon, O Jones; J Price, L Burns, C Gould, M Curtis, B Watkins (capt), G Gladwyn, C Bridges, T Lampard. Reps: R James, D Price, D Preece, B Fisher, R Peebles, A Sweet, A N Other.

Aberavon: R Thomas, J Phillips, L Gadd, P Bamsey, S Davies; J Garland, G Hooper; M Harris, M Breeze, P Breeze, C Gittins (capt), A Fisher, J Tipuric, R Morgan, S Peters. Reps: J Davies, C Morgans, C Wells, L Howell, A Edwards, I Moore, D Thomas.

Llandovery: G James; D Daniel, M Jones, Nathan Brew, V Jenkins; Gareth Morgan, R Walters (capt); E Howells, E Phillips, A Jones, A Lloyd, S Covington, M de Marigny, G Bennett, G Williams. Reps: A Yelland, P Lewis, W Williams, C Jenkins, S Thomas, T James, J Lewis.

Bridgend: G David (capt); C Weightman, D Bishop, G Howells, D Connolly; M David, R Webb; P Price, S Baldwin, R Jones, G Williams, M Powell, I Cunningham, R Pitman, J Jones. Reps: G Dix, Ashleigh James, K Malden, G Thomas, D Newell, J Hooper, R Radford.