Ben Francis Cup final preview (From Free Press Series)

Ben Francis Cup final preview

10:26am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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DIVISION One East champions Pontypool go into tonight's Ben Francis Cup final with a threadbare squad, but are nevertheless determined to take add more silverware to their bulging cabinet.

Head coach Gareth Lintern said: "We're a bit thin on the ground due to injuries and player going on holiday. Rumney was a tough game and we lost Richie Dennington to a broken nose and Nathan Preece dislocated his knee.

"But we've a big enough squad and our intention is to win this for the club and the supporters. We were invited into the Cup and it's only right and proper that we take it seriously."

Opponents Abergavenny, on the other hand, have a near-enough full strength to choose from and are fresh from a Division Three East play-off win against Cardigan on Saturday.

Gary Lawrence, their head coach, said: "We'll be putting out a full strength side, it'd be nice to turn over a Premiership club."

Lintern added: "They'll still be in the rugby mood, whereas we've had a few weeks off, as you'd expect. But I've no doubt our players will be up for the challenge and the prospect of winning more silverware for Pontypool."

Kick-off at Blackwood RFC tonight is scheduled for 7.15pm.

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