Swalec Cup Final and Regional Players

First topic message reminder :

Looking for a clarification on the rules for the Swalec Final. I have been told that each club in the Swalec Cup is limited to a maximum of 6 regional/academy players in this competition and that is one of the reasons that Pontypridd struggled on the weekend as they regularly field more than this through the regular league season.

Is it true that they regularly field Blues regional and academy players? If so I find that quite ironic due to their loathing of the Blues?

Clarification appreciated please.

The Saint wrote:Bedford seems to sum up the general attitude in that neck of the woods quite well. I think you miss the point again LD. We're all for players moving in and out of their club and Regional team. What we aren't for is how those people are treated by Pontypridd RFC and their fan base, especially when it's shown that they are a bunch of hypocrites.

I have admitted some of the Ponty fans can behave like idiots most of the time, but they do not ALL behave like that, I have been there, yes there are the hard core supporters who act stupid, but the majority do not.

What people are not understanding is the fact that they think they have the right to tell Pontypridd fans how to behave. Who has made all the other fans judge, jury and executioner all at once in this country ?

Who do people think they are when they tell the Pontypridd fans they must be nice to Cardiff Blues ? I could tell you to start being nice to me Saint, I know what answer you would give me.

There is no need for this Pontypridd are all vile attitude, I know supporters from Ebbw Vale who do not want anything to do with Dragons, they actually respect the views of the Pontypridd fans, so it is not just Pontypridd, there just seems to be more of them in Pontypridd than anywhere else.

Saint, you have only ever supported Newport Gwent Dragons, you had to make adjustments to support that team from your pre regional team, so did the Pontypridd fans, like you they adjusted to Warriors, what came next only happened to Pontypridd, no one else had it, and I do not fall the "it happened to Bridgend as well" line, at least they were given a region to join, not a stand alone club.

This is all going too far, who are the worst, the Pontypridd fans, or the fans who think they can scorn them ? For me they are all as bad as each other, if you do not like what the Ponty fans think, then ignore them.

I am saying NO MORE on this.

LordDowlais wrote: who are the worst, the Pontypridd fans, or the fans who think they can scorn them ?

Pontypridd fans.

Regional A sides next season isn't it? In the BIC and other pre-arranged games. So I guess Ponty will be getting fewer Cardiff players than usual. Possibly none at all.

I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LordDowlais wrote: who are the worst, the Pontypridd fans, or the fans who think they can scorn them ?

Pontypridd fans.

By a mile.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

I like you, watch the regions, but I also understand where the bitterness the Pontypridd fans hold comes from.

The biterness should go towards the powers that be. Not towards honest rugby loving folk that are just supporting their rugby team. It's pathetic.

Fair point. Some openess and honesty right across the board would be nice too.

LordDowlais wrote:

The Saint wrote:No, but it's the general opinion among Ponty supporters and some Merthyr folk isn't it?

I don't know, you tell me. Or are you just generalising everybody again ? Because thats not how I see it.

The Saint wrote:And yes you do contradict yourself a lot on here.

Perhaps I do,but I have not on this point, in fact you are very much in the talking bullcrap party on this, as I have proved.

I voted for one of these today btw.

Risca Rev wrote:I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

Certainly not the ones I know. When the oft mentioned 'Valleys Region' is thrown about a lot of them that have animosity to the Dragons have that feeling to these plans as well.

LordDowlais wrote:Believe it or not Saint, but the Blues DO give Cardiff academy players as well as Pontypridd. It's not Ponty's fault that Cardiff RFC are a shambles.

Not sure how you can give something to yourself, but there we are.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

Certainly not the ones I know.  When the oft mentioned 'Valleys Region' is thrown about a lot of them that have animosity to the Dragons have that feeling to these plans as well.

As divisive as the so called Gwent region?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

Certainly not the ones I know.  When the oft mentioned 'Valleys Region' is thrown about a lot of them that have animosity to the Dragons have that feeling to these plans as well.

As divisive as the so called Gwent region?

Gwent Region isn't perfect far from it but we are slowly getting there and the Dragons do a huge amount of work within the Region and Junior and Prem level.

How a 'Valleys' Region would benefit Ebbw, Abertillery, Pontypool, Keys, Risca etc is beyond me but some seemed to think it would.

Cardiff Dave wrote:Regional A sides next season isn't it? In the BIC and other pre-arranged games. So I guess Ponty will be getting fewer Cardiff players than usual. Possibly none at all.

Interesting to see whether Blues A will be taking some 'Ponty based' players and how the club reacts to that. I assume it would only be the usual guys like Humberstone, Dicomidis and some U20 players.

Cardiff Dave wrote:Regional A sides next season isn't it? In the BIC and other pre-arranged games. So I guess Ponty will be getting fewer Cardiff players than usual. Possibly none at all.

That will go down like a lead balloon, and not just at Pontypridd. I would imagine most clubs in the Welsh Premiership will be fuming.

Risca Rev wrote:I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

I know two Ebbw Vale season ticket holders who take the same attitude towards Dragons as Pontypridd do towards Cardiff Blues.

LordDowlais wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

I know two Ebbw Vale season ticket holders who take the same attitude towards Dragons as Pontypridd do towards Cardiff Blues.

So that's some of the views of Pontypridd fans then. I'm sure as I said they don't go round going on about meritocracy or valleys rugby, as I said (which you conveniently ignore). I know three Ebbw Vale fans who love Dragons, so I win.

I was just generalising ALL Ebbw Vale fans from a few that I have met Risca. The same thing that people like you have done to ALL Ponty fans because of a few you have crossed words with. It's not nice when somebody does that to you is it ?

Don't cry Dowlais. I'm not generalising all Pontypridd fans, though seeing as you and Steffan are the majority on here it's hardly a good representation.

You're doing well for saying no more on this thread Dowlais. Stop jumping on my hook

Risca Rev wrote:You're doing well for saying no more on this thread Dowlais. Stop jumping on my hook

Your right, for once. I need to stop being tempted by this thread.

P.S I do not think like ALL other Pontypridd fans, in fact, out of all our regions, the one I follow the most, and go and pay to watch the most are Cardiff Blues.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:I cannot imagine any Ebbw Vale fan agreeing with Pontypridd's stance on that "Valleys Rugby" guff, nor "meritocracy" etc.

Certainly not the ones I know.  When the oft mentioned 'Valleys Region' is thrown about a lot of them that have animosity to the Dragons have that feeling to these plans as well.

As divisive as the so called Gwent region?

Why 'so called'? Gwent's been an established region (for want of a better word) for centuries.

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Regional A sides next season isn't it? In the BIC and other pre-arranged games. So I guess Ponty will be getting fewer Cardiff players than usual. Possibly none at all.

That will go down like a lead balloon, and not just at Pontypridd. I would imagine most clubs in the Welsh Premiership will be fuming.

Why?

Chunky Norwich wrote:Why?

Aaaargghh, please stop dragging me into this debate, I want out. But to answer your question, ALL sides in the Welsh Prem benefit from getting players back from the regional academy, so if they are not going to get any, because of the regional A teams, then they would all have an axe to grind, not just Pontypridd.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Regional A sides next season isn't it? In the BIC and other pre-arranged games. So I guess Ponty will be getting fewer Cardiff players than usual. Possibly none at all.

That will go down like a lead balloon, and not just at Pontypridd. I would imagine most clubs in the Welsh Premiership will be fuming.

Why?

I guess the only ones that will be fuming is Pontypridd. The rest would like to take a break from having 70+ points put on them by fully professional teams I bet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32717722

Ponty are not happy with the Regional A plans.

I heard this on the radio today. Without the LV it does make sense to have an A team in the B&I. Didn't Holland say we would be looking for at least 7 A team fixtures next season. I understand Ponty will be disapointed in losing what has been a great cup for them with big away trips and home games but I think it's the best thing for player development as we need to bridge that gap between the prem and the Pro 12. Is it just the Blues doing this or are the other regions entering A teams also?

To be honest if the fans supported their boys, then they would still be going on the big away trips, just with Blues A instead, as it will be similar players. But maybe, yet again, the lack of it being officially Ponty will take its toll.


The is another thread purely about the A team thing,.
https://www.606v2.com/t58952-regional-a-teams

I get the feeling that Ponty's rejection is going to be in vain. Some people need to get over themselves.