This seasons Welsh Principality Premiership has been the most competitive since its implementation, but who will win the title? Six sides remain, three spots up for grabs, one ultimate champion.
Competitive Times In the Principality Premiership
OVERVIEW
There are still six teams in the race for the end of season play-offs ( Ebbw Vale, Newport , Pontypridd, Cross Keys, Llandovery, Aberavon) , which is immense considering Pontypridd were at least four games ahead at the end of last years regular season.
Whether it is the new rule changes or just by slight chance that half the league has suddenly become so competitive, but this years league has been scintillating to watch from the start till now, with the closing fixtures left to be played leaving much to the imagination as to who will finish where. Sixth place Cross Keys lie ten points adrift off the top of the table leaders, Ebbw Vale, but do have three games in hand.
Some key ties still left to be played with many of the above named six teams playing each other in the final three to four weeks of the league campaign. Mix in that with cup ties left to be played for Ebbw Vale, Llandovery and two extra ties for Pontypridd then a lot could and probably will change between now and finals day. Hopefully not too much for Ebbw Vale, Newport and Pontypridd fans as their teams currently lie in the play-off berths.
OTHER INFLUENCES
As is above mentioned there are still cups up for grabs and this could possibly interfere with some teams run ins. Pontypridd, for example, still have two cup matches to play; a final against Bedwas and a semi final against the winner of the Ebbw Vale vs. Llandovery Quarter final. Will This hinder their progress? Unlikely with many of their players, coaching staff and board members all well weathered in busy ends to seasons with them competing in the majority of Swalec cup finals and premiership play-off finals in recent memory. One thing they will have to watch out for is injuries – if they get too many in these non league matches it could well cost them a place in the play-offs. However they do have a large and well rounded squad full of potential, of which you don’t have to remind me of, with Ebbw Vale losing out to them in last years Premiership grand final.
Ebbw Vale and Llandovery still have to play each other in a high stakes quarter-final of the Swalec cup. This could have a huge bearing with the losing side perhaps losing momentum, which is not what either side want with Ebbw Vale only having one game left and Llandovery having three tough away fixtures. Cross Keys also remain in the domestic cup but, unlike Ebbw Vale and the ‘Drovers’, Keys have their semi finals booked and so wont play for a while, allowing them to get some points on the board in the meantime.
Aberavon will have a few weeks off it seems as their home tie against the Keys was originally postponed due to the disastrous recent rain gathering in its mass upon the Talbot Athletic Ground, and so you would think that their chances of a good run is good for perhaps this years surprise act.
Newport, whose regional counterparts have just announced they plan to under go massive changes lie only four points below leaders Ebbw Vale but have two extra games in hand. They surely can take a minimum of eight points in their last three games to get themselves a top three spot. Heavy favourites to take top spot and a bye through to the grand final as well, they have very little to no pressure arguably on them and no other cup commitments to worry about.
Llandovery have to end their season with three away games and this could hinder their hopes as Newport overtook them in the race for top spot. To go away three times in a row is a harsh run in and one they would have hoped to avoid.
KEY FIXTURES
EBBW VALE- Aberavon (H)
PONTYPRIDD- Cardiff (A), Newport (H), Bedwas (H)
LLANDOVERY- Carmarthen Quins (A), Cardiff (A), Bedwas (A)
NEWPORT- Cross keys (A), Pontypridd (A), Llanelli (H)
ABERAVON- Cross Keys (H), Ebbw Vale (A)
CROSS KEYS- Newport (H), Neath (A), Aberavon (A), Bedwas (H)
PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP TABLE
TEAM- PLAYED- POINTS
EBBW VALE————21—————————–69
PONTYPRIDD———–19—————————-66
NEWPORT————-19—————————–66
LLANDOVERY———18—————————–65
ABERAVON————20—————————-63
CROSS KEYS———–18—————————-59
PREDICTIONS
Who will occupy the top spot? Newport, in my mind, as they have arguably the easier of the run-ins (with no disrespect to those clubs they have to play). Pontypridd are the other team in contention for top spot in my opinion, and purely because they have so many games in hand with only four points behind current leaders Ebbw Vale. The side to finish in the home advantage slot for the play-off semi-final? You’ve guessed it, its Pontypridd. Only their slightly harder run-in separates them and top spot, with perhaps bonus points becoming key to where they finish. The final side to occupy a top three slot will be Ebbw Vale as they have only lost once in twelve games and have a home tie in front of what will be a large and vociferous crowd.
Main Photo
