Newport gained a heroic victory at the Old Parish ground - their first away win in 23 attempts and Maesteg were Merit Table champions. In the first half played in a tremendous atmosphere, Jim Dale scored the opening try of the game, coming from a line-out near the Maesteg line - goaled by Leighton Davies. Two Gwyn Evans penalties levelled the scores going into half-time.

Territorially the second half belonged almost exclusivly to Maesteg but Newport got the only score with Peter Nowell going over from a line-out. Newport had to defend desperately for the last half-hour, as maesteg pounded their line in a frantic search for a match winning score. Every player did Newport proud on a memorable day, but it was wing forward Roger Powell who rose above all others, with his non-stop and devastating tackling.

Maesteg failed to switch tactics and repeatedly ran into Newport's rock solid mid-field and back row, wasting huge amounts of possession. Maesteg layed siege on the Newport line, but the visitors under almost un-believable pressure refused to crack.