Parker Pen challenge Cup: Pontypridd v Leeds Tykes
Celebrations...?
By Not-So-Fat-Gav
December 4 2002
So another month of tough Zurich Premiership matches come to a close and the Tykes have some cup action to look forward to in December. But if they thought that the Parker Pen Cup was going to provide them with some brief respite they have another think coming
Daunting
Any trip to South Wales is a daunting prospect at the best of times, however, in Pontypridd, the Tykes face one of the form teams from the Principality this season.
Despite a disappointing, but narrow, home defeat to Neath in the Celtic League Quarter Finals last Friday, Ponty managed to win six of their seven pool matches in the competition, only losing away to tough Irish side Leinster. Not only have they played well this season in the Celtic League but they also performed well in two cup competitions last year. We all remember two closely fought matches between this weekends protagonists in the pool stage of last years Parker Pen Shield before Ponty went on the final, losing only narrowly to Sale at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.
Not only that they also won the Principality Cup (Wales’ premier knockout tournament) in another close match with Llanelli at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Our opponents this weekend undoubtedly have that ‘big match’ mentality and are well suited to a ‘sudden death’ format!
So we know they have a good cup pedigree, but what of the individuals that make up the team? I like to think that the Tykes have a pack that has not let the opposition dominate them so far this season, however, they may have their work cut out against these big men from the valleys (even if some of the valleys happen to be in New Zealand!).
Pack
Up front are loosehead Gethin Jenkins, who combines playing with running an electronics business in Bridgend, hooker Matthew Rees and tighthead, the magnificently named, Sven Cronk, who are 6’2”, 6’2” and 5’11” respectively. Normally people of this height wouldn’t particularly frighten me, however, when you combine that with the fact that they are probably of similar width and weigh between sixteen and eighteen stone it puts an entirely different complexion on the situation!
Homegrown flanker Richard Parks combines rugby with dentistry and this may prove to be invaluable in the clubhouse given your average Anglo-Welsh encounter! Combine that with fearsome Kiwi back-rower Dale ‘The Chief’ McIntosh and quality second rows like new Welsh cap Robert Sidoli and Aussie Brent Cockbain, younger brother of Wallaby Matt, and you have what amounts to quite a pack!
 Neil 'The Boot' Jenkins |
They are no slouches in the backs either with record Test points scorer Neil Jenkins back at the club (the only man that we have faced who comes anywhere near BVS in the kicking stakes!) and another new Welsh cap Sonny Parker in the centre (I’m hoping this lad has recovered from injury as he looked an exciting player against the All Blacks recently). All this and a crowd of happy Welshmen, not to mention women, who will be politely be requesting that their players ‘tap the claret’ of the visiting English team!!!
Prediction....
So there you have it, a tough team at a tough place to visit, and you might think from the tone of my preview so far that it’s ‘curtains’ for the Tykes! However, this is not the same Tykes who lost there 28-16 in the same competition last year (how many times have we said this so far this season?). The ‘hard-nosed’ attitude that hooker Mark Regan has added to the pack is just what is required at a venue like Sardis Road. Perhaps a match for Alix Popham to show his fellow countrymen what he is really capable of (as I get the feeling that there is a match winning performance waiting to get out somewhere) or for Tris Davies to impress Wales selectors ahead of the Six Nations? It’s definitely going to be tight, but unlike last years ‘travel sick’ Tykes, I’m going for a win, but by the narrowest of margins.
Advice
One last piece of advice....
....Skibum, if you are intent on going out in Swansea after the match - take your tin helmet with you!!!
Editor's note
So what do you think? Is NSFG right - is a tin hat needed?!?! Have your say, by posting on the message board!