06 Neath V Pontypridd - KONICA MINOLTA CUP 2006 скачать в хорошем качестве

06 Neath V Pontypridd - KONICA MINOLTA CUP 2006

Ponty put Neath under pressure! Ponty vow to upset Neath and win the cup for sidelined 'Chief' May 6 2006 Andy Howell, Western Mail Kick-off 6pm THE "CHIEF" sits out today's Konica-Minolta Cup final at the Millennium Stadium after failing to recover from injury. Pontypridd captain and talisman Dale McIntosh conceded defeat in his fight to recover from damaged ribs. He had been stretchered off after colliding with Cardiff flanker Gareth Gravell during last month's semi-final at Newport's Rodney Parade. And 36-year-old, New Zealand-born McIntosh, below, who was capped twice by Wales, lost his fight to face Neath in what could have been his swansong at the home of Welsh rugby. Fellow lock Chris Martenko has also been ruled out, by a long-standing shoulder problem. That means Chris Dicomidis and Grant Harrington have been picked at lock by Pontypridd coach Simon King. They also have other problems with star scrum-half Wayne Evans (back operation) and hooker Duane Goodfield, on duty with the Blues at Ulster last night, both missing. Stand-in Ponty skipper Nathan Strong is adamant they want to win it for the "Chief" after being denied late on by Llanelli a year ago. "All the boys enjoy playing alongside him because he's a good leader and I'm sure we all step up a bit to compensate for him not being there," said Wales rugby league international Strong. He played for Wales against Ireland and Scotland in the 13-a-side code but admits, "This is bigger. "The people of Ponty will turn out in droves and our team spirit is second to none. It's a massive game and everybody will be giving 100% for Pontypridd." King chipped in, "Neath have done extremely well throughout this season to have suffered only one defeat and, while they have got great strength in depth, it gives us confidence that we were the only team to beat them in the Premiership." Wales Under-21 star and Commonwealth Games sevens player James Hook wins the outside-half vote for Neath, with former Wales No 10 Arwel Thomas likely to join a strong bench with ex-Swansea back-rower and Wales A cap Hywel Jenkins. Former Cardiff blockbuster Dan McShane keeps Jenkins out of the side at No 8. Ed Shervington is preferred to Gerwyn Price at hooker, while Steve Martin captains the side at lock despite nursing a calf strain. Neath coach Rowland Phillips played down his side's tag as hot favourites. "We have got a strong squad, but I don't think there is as much between us and the rest of the pack as people might think," said the coach who has led his side to successive Welsh Premier titles. "The fact that Pontypridd and we have played each other twice with a win each shows the type of close game we can expect on Saturday. "We are a tight squad and we won't be worrying about any favourites' tag. We'll just get on with doing what we do best. It should be a cracker." Neath G Morris; S. Thomas, W Mitchell, A Bevan, R. Johnston; J Hook, P Horgan/M Roberts; C Griffiths, E Shervington, C Mitchell, M Morgan, S Martin (capt), A Llewellyn, D McShane, J McPhail. Player to watch - James Hook: The highly-rated outside-half has shone for Wales Under-21s and the Wales Sevens team this season. Pontypridd M Stoddart; C Clayton, T Riley, D Lockyer, M Nuthall; D Flanagan, G Jones; S Williams, B Phillips, S Roberts, C Dicomidis, G Harrington, L Evans, N Strong (capt), R Shellard. Player to watch - Rhys Shellard: The robust flanker is another youngster with seemingly a big future ahead of him. Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). Form guide: Neath have lost just once in the Welsh Premiership - against Pontypridd - as they held on to their crown in style. Andy Howell verdict: Pontypridd have been Neath's closest challengers this season but the form-book suggests they'll be edged out in a potential thriller.