PONTYPOOL are still the team to beat in Division One despite their humbling loss at the hands of rivals Llandovery, says team manager Tony Clarke.
After last weekend's shock defeat Clarke told the Argus he was confident of victory away at Treorchy tomorrow.
"We've done our homework. It will be a tough game, but with the squad we have we're still the team to beat in the First Division. We've watched the video of the game against Llandovery and assessed where the mistakes were made. There were too many gaps on Saturday and will be looking to close them up. The squad has looked really hungry in training."
A big concern for the coaching staff at Pontypool Park has been the side's poor lineout form. Clarke said this was an area that would take time to sort out after a long pre-season.
"We are working constantly on the lineout. The problem is not with the throwing, it's a combination of that and the jumping and the communication in between," he explained.
Saturday's trip to the Rhondda Valley will bring back fond memories for Clarke, who used to play for some of the rugby heartland's famous sides, including Treorchy.
"I'll be going back to my old stomping ground," he said. "It's always been a hard place to play. We know they like to attack with their forwards, but we've prepared."
Pontypool include their third outside half in as many games as they bid to recapture form at Treorchy, Jonathan Hawker taking over in the absence of the injured Byron Haywood and Richard Jenkins (shin).
Pontypool: J Griffin, C Landry, S John, B Jeffries, L Woodard, J Hawker, G Jenkins/N Lloyd, A Phillips, L Jones, U Moa, K Faletau, M Powell, C Treherne, A Howarth, A Lloyd. Replacements: D Manley, C Roberts-Lloyd, N Daniel, G Gunter, M Taylor, M Jones, L Murray. Kick-off 2.30pm. Meet club 12 noon.
The youth team are home to Caerphilly tomorrow, 2.30pm.
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