From the match programme:-
"It could be a cracker!"
"By J. B. G. THOMAS"
"There are four major clubs battling for the big prize of the WRU Cup today, like they have never battled before, and it is a brave man who will name without hesitation the winners of today's two semifinal matches, at Cardiff and Swansea, and the two clubs who will meet in the final at the National Ground on April 30."
"Aberavon meet Cardiff at St. Helen's and Newport and Ebbw Vale clash at the Arms Park, and all four clubs have an equal chance if they play to form. They all believe they can succeed which is a very necessary attribute at this stage of the exciting contest, but they must produce their best form."
"Cup football, generally, is exciting and often nail-biting for the supporters of the two clubs engaged, while officials are often near to collapse as the final minutes tick away! Yet it has given Welsh club rugby a shot in the arm and the clubs of the Union are full of it; relishing the play on the field and the rewards off it in cash and publicity."
"One hopes that it will continue and when the new system of seeding is put to the clubs at the WRU's AGM, it is hoped that it will be accepted, to maintain the healthy life of the competition. One thing is certain this season, a new club will have its name added to those of Llanelli and Neath and, while the folk in Llanelli may be sad that the Sospan has boiled over, if only temporarily, then Welsh rugby will be the better for a new winner."
"Aberavon intend to win it in their Centenary Year and, as they approach the end of the season, they appear to have regained their fire and efficiency. This puts them in the position of slight favourites at St. Helen's to beat Cardiff, also in their Centenary Year. Clive Shell and Gerald Davies, the two captains, and their teams are equally determined, and it promises to be a hard match."
"Here at the Arms Park are two clubs from Gwent, and this ensures a finalist from the historic rugby county. Newport, from the coast, with a proud record of achievement, although through recent injuries have lost the leadership of the Western Mail Championship table, are determined to win either the Cup or the Championship under their leader, new international David Burcher."
"Ebbw Vale, from the top of the valley, with a proud post-war record and a flair for attack in the true spirit have come good at the right time. While Newport have been searching to replace injured players, Ebbw Vale have been embarrassed with too many good ones."
"This should suggest a win for Ebbw Vale but, in Cup rugby, form counts for little and it is how a side actually plays on the day, takes its chances and puts the points on the score board. Matches have been won and lost through the smallest errors yet no side can remain defensive and must work for scores."
"One feels sure that Newport and Ebbw Vale will play good football and in the right spirit. Indeed, one is tempted to say that it will be a cracker! It is true that the Arms Park club ground is not a particularly lucky one for either club who have lost there this season but, for today, it is a neutral ground with as many Vale supporters as there are Newport."
"They will shout terms of encouragement and there is nothing like the roar of the crowd to spurt players on to greater things. Club rugby in Wales is unique because it is blessed with a strange sense of partisanship. Followers have to be committed to one club and while many Cardiff followers in the ground today will hope for an exciting spectacle, they will, at the same time, be assessing the two sides in case they find Cardiff, at the end of the day, are in the final!"
"Nobody will ever really change the format of Welsh club rugby for it is the real strength of the game in the Principality. The Challenge Cup competition embodies it to the full and adds lustre to it. May today's match be of the best!"
The match itself:-
Newport turned in a superb team performance to beat Ebbw Vale 7 v 3 in a tension charged semi-final. Newport went into this game as under-dogs, but they never allowed Ebbw Vale to settle as their persistent pressure in every phase paid dividends. The day belonged to the Newport pack and Newport were the better side on the day, and but for a sound Ebbw Vale defence, could have won by a far more convincing margin. Newport made a dream start as Ebbw Vale were penalised from the kick-off and Leighton Davies hit a well struck penalty goal. However a late and dangerous tackle on Ebbw Vale’s fullback Peter Griffiths by left-wing Jeff Cranton only 7 minutes into the half enabled Steve Lewis to put Ebbw Vale level. The break through for Newport came 13 minutes into the second half when they cracked the Ebbw defence with a superb try. Alun Billinghurst dummied from a scrum near the Ebbw Vale line and taking the ball blind, gave room for David Rogers to dive over.
Although Newport completely dominated the second half, they could not add to their total.