Pontypridd claimed top spot in the regular season and aim to claim the Principality Premiership crown when the meet Llanelli at Sardis Road on Friday (KO 7.35pm)
The home side will be seeking to put their defeat to Cross Keys in the Swalec Cup Final behind them by picking up some silverware to end the season in style.
“It has been great to see teams within the Blues region pick up silverware in the last few weeks and I’d love to see Pontypridd round things off with a victory in the Principality Premiership Play-Off Final on Friday night,” said Phil Davies.
“I know they are playing against one of my former clubs, Llanelli, but it is important in my new position as Director of Rugby at Cardiff Blues that teams within the region are successful.”
“I can recall having many on-field battles with Dale McIntosh in our playing days and I was always a huge fan of Paul John. The job they have done as coaches at Sardis Road in recent years has been fantastic. They have kept alive the old spirit of Pontypridd and ensured there is never an easy game for any team that plays against them.”
“The Blues have benefited from a number of world class players who learned their trade at Sardis Road. Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins are real rugby icons within the region and the production line also includes Ceri Sweeney.”
“The newly appointed Wales Under 20 captain Cory Hill, who is a Blues Academy player an attachment at Pontypridd, is potentially the next star in the making and after his disappointment of losing in the SWALEC Cup Final to Cross Keys it would be great if he could help ease the pain with a win this week.”
“There are strong links between the two clubs and I intend to make them even stronger while I am at the Blues.”
“It was great to see Cardiff HSOB win the SWALEC National League Division 4 East title earlier in the week and that success followed on from SWALEC Championship wins for Ystrad Rhondda (Division 2 East), Llanishen (Division 3 East), Porth Harlequins (Division 4 South-East), Old Illtydians (Division 5 South-East) and Glyncoch (Division 6 Central).”
“Glyncoch also won the SWALEC Bowl at the Millennium Stadium, while Penallta won the SWALEC Plate competition. There were also great seasons recorded by the following clubs in the region, who can now look forward to tougher challenges ahead: Penallta (runners-up in 2 East), Rhiwbina (runners-up in 3 South-East), Pontyclun (runners-up in 4 South-East), Cilfynydd (runners-up in 5 South-East), Caerau Ely (runners-up in 6 Central).”
“And all this came on top of Ysgol Glantaf winning the Welsh Schools Cup at Under 18 level – beating Whitchurch HS in an all-Blues regional final at the Millennium Stadium coupled with a win for Rhondda Schools over Cardiff Schools in another all-Blues regional final in the Dewar Shield.”
“Cardiff University also won the Varsity match this year with a convincing win over Swansea showing that rugby in the Blues region is in an extremely healthy state.”
Former Pontypridd RFC player Martyn Williams added,
“It’s fantastic to see Pontypridd going for the Principality Premiership title this year.”
“My former team mates Dale McIntosh and Paul John have done a fantastic job again this season and are developing some exciting players that can only benefit the club and the region.”
“I’m sure they will be disappointed missing out on the SWALEC Cup so will be looking to make amends on Friday night and it promises to be a great match.”