Editing Pontypridd RFC (section)

===2003–present===
[[Image:Celtic warriors badge.png|thumb|right|185px|Celtic Warriors badge – 2004–05 season (unplayed)]]
After much negotiation and rumour of a merger with local rivals [[Cardiff RFC]], Pontypridd finally found themselves in a partnership with [[Bridgend RFC]], forming the [[Celtic Warriors]] that would represent the whole of the South Wales Valleys region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/welsh-premier-division/bridgend-rfc/2004/01/07/what-the-pontypridd-fans-think-91466-13788212/ |title=What the Pontypridd fans think |publisher=Wales Online |date=2004-01-07 |access-date=2013-10-22}}</ref>

However financial difficulties at Pontypridd lead the team to sell its stake in the Warriors to [[Bridgend RFC]] benefactor Leighton Samuel and all games were moved away from Sardis Road before the club was dissolved by the [[Welsh Rugby Union|WRU]] in the summer of 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3725177.stm |title=UK &#124; Wales &#124; Warriors' buy-out 'mortal blow' |publisher=BBC News |date=2004-05-18 |access-date=2013-10-22}}</ref>

They were then reformed as Ponty Rugby Ltd playing at a semi professional level in the newly formed [[Welsh Premiership]] and unpopularly placed under the umbrella of local rivals Cardiff Blues by the WRU, Pontypridd continue to be the top team in the Glamorganshire south Wales Valleys and are considered by many of their fans to be the Valleys' regional representative side, with [[Cardiff]] still perceived by the residents of the Valleys as rivals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/welsh-premier-division/pontypridd-rfc/2006/05/08/warriors-to-the-very-last-drop-91466-17045524/ |title=Warriors to the very last drop |publisher=Wales Online |date=2006-05-08 |access-date=2013-10-22}}</ref>

In 2005 Pontypridd were the beaten finalists in the [[WRU Challenge Cup]], narrowly losing to Llanelli 24–25, having led 24–8 with only 10 minutes remaining until a former Pontypridd player Neil Boobyer was brought into the game and helped turn the game around in Llanelli's favour.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4520731.stm |work=BBC News  | title=Llanelli 25–24 Pontypridd | date=7 May 2005 | access-date=22 May 2010}}</ref>

The following year they would surpass their previous season's record as Saturday 6 May 2006 Pontypridd beat Neath 26–25 to win the WRU Challenge Cup (then called the Konica Minolta Cup, and currently called the SWALEC Cup after the sponsors of the tournament) in a final at the [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wru.co.uk/1182.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 August 2009 |archive-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905082949/http://www.wru.co.uk/1182.php |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Neath were pre-match favourites having recently secured the Welsh Premier league by a large points margin, and going into the game chasing a league and cup 'double'. This was a replay of the 1996 final, when Pontypridd had also stopped [[Neath RFC]] 'doing the double'.

17 May 2008 saw Pontypridd enter a repeat performance against Neath at the [[Millennium Stadium]]. The score, however, was not to be repeated, as Neath beat Pontypridd 28–22.

In the 2010–11 season, Pontypridd secured the Swalec Cup with a 35–24 victory over Aberavon at the Millennium Stadium. They also finished first in the Principality Premiership with 107 points. However, with the introduction of play-offs to determine the overall league champions, they were defeated in the final at Sardis Road by third-placed Llanelli, preventing a potential double. Additionally, they reached the semi-finals of the British & Irish Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Bristol.

The club reached two finals in the following season. On 7 May 2012, they were defeated by Cross Keys in the Swalec Cup final, with a score of 32–19. However, they were crowned Welsh Champions for the first time in 15 years after securing a second consecutive first-place finish in the Principality Premiership. This led to a play-off final victory over Llanelli at Sardis Road on 18 May. The club also made the Quarter-Finals of the British & Irish Cup, losing away to Leinster 'A'.

The 2012–13 season was one of the most successful in the club's history, as Pontypridd won both the league and cup, completing a historic double. First beating Neath in the final of the Swalec Cup on 4 May 2013, 34–13 and then after finishing 23 points clear in the Principality Premiership with 21 wins from 22 matches they secured the title by defeating Llanelli in the Play-Off Final at Sardis Road on 18 May by 47–15.

The 2013–14 season saw Pontypridd repeat their success from the previous year, winning both the Swalec Cup and the Principality Premiership title. They claimed the Swalec Cup on 4 May 2014, defeating Cross Keys 21–8 at the Millennium Stadium. After finishing at the top of the Principality Premiership for the fourth consecutive season, they secured a third successive league title on 18 May 2014 with a 38–17 victory over Cross Keys in the play-off final at Sardis Road. The club also defeated London Welsh, London Scottish and Cornish Pirates on the way to the British & Irish Cup Semi-Finals before exiting the competition against Leinster 'A' following a defeat on try count following a 22–22 draw. The 2014–15 season saw Pontypridd reach a fifth consecutive Swalec Cup final, but they were defeated by Bridgend. However, they finished first in the Principality Premiership for the fifth successive season and secured a fourth consecutive league title with a 28–14 victory over Ebbw Vale in the play-off final at Sardis Road on 17 May 2015.

Despite playing at the highest level attainable by a non-regional side, Pontypridd RFC has experienced a decline in its fan base, partly due to the shift of Welsh rugby supporters in the Valleys<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ponty.net/howells-pleas-for-valleys-future?sibling_page=52 |title=Howells pleas for Valleys' future &#124; Noticeboard &#124; News & Views |publisher=Ponty.net |date=2003-01-27 |access-date=2013-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060302/http://www.ponty.net/howells-pleas-for-valleys-future?sibling_page=52 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> to Cardiff Blues as their regional team. Nevertheless, Pontypridd retains one of the largest club followings in Wales.<ref>[http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/5018_2573.php]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907150133/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/5018_2573.php|date=7 September 2008}}</ref>

Former Pontypridd players seen wearing the red of Wales in recent years include [[Gethin Jenkins]], [[Kevin Morgan (rugby union)|Kevin Morgan]], [[Richard Parks]], [[Michael Owen (rugby union)|Michael Owen]], [[Martyn Williams]], [[Dafydd James]], [[Mefin Davies]], [[Brent Cockbain]], [[Robert Sidoli]], [[Sonny Parker (rugby union)|Sonny Parker]], [[Ceri Sweeney]], [[Ian Evans (rugby union)|Ian Evans]], [[Matthew Rees]], [[Morgan Stoddart]], [[Cory Hill]], [[Kristian Dacey]], [[Seb Davies]], [[Dillon Lewis]], [[Tomos Williams]],[[Jarrod Evans]], [[Kieron Assiratti]] and [[Corey Domachowski]].