"WELCOME TO THE PARADE"
"The magic of the Cup returns to Rodney Parade this afternoon with the visit of the standard bearers of North Wales rugby - Wrexham. Our visitors were founded in 1925 and, until 1939, played on various grounds within the Borough as they had no permanent headquarters of their own. Following the Second World War, in 1946, this position was rectified with the Club moving to Dean Road. Thirty years later the Club moved to their present headquarters at Bryn Estyn Lane, where they have four pitches, floodlights (installed in 1977) and a grandstand completed in 1981. Each Saturday our visitors field five Senior and one Youth XV's, while on a Sunday they field mini rugby teams as well as U16 and U19 XV's."
"In the Schweppes W.R.U. Challenge Cup, Wrexham have proved the outstanding Club in the North Wales area and have shown their skills and determination against leading Clubs - Neath twice, Cardiff, Swansea, Abertillery, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar. This is the first time they have reached the 3rd round of the competition following victories over Llandovery (10-6) and Pyle (36-10)."
"This season, Wrexham are once again the leading Club in North Wales, under the captaincy of Rob Jones, and have only lost one of their 21 games (Wigan 7-4), while scoring 695 points. Full back Gareth Williams has scored over 200 points, while leading try scorer with 20 touch downs is flanker Dave Birch, followed by wings Dylan Jones and Tony Gleave with 11 each. Club Coach Mike Mahoney hails from Maesteg and he has a well balanced team under his control who play exciting running from the basis of a well drilled pack. Mike has taken over from Austin Thomas, who is now the North Wales Coach in succession to Tony Gray on his appointment as Wales Coach."
"Welcome, Wrexham - we are confident that you will provide rugby of the highest quality and confirm the excellent reputation of your Club that has been expressed here at Rodney Parade for many years by one of your famous sons, Bill Morris, who obtained International and Barbarian honours while playing for the Black and Ambers in the 1960s."
Newport swept aside the challenge of North Wales champions Wrexham who had lost only one of their previous 43 games. The Newport pack proved far too strong and rarely gave them a sight of the line. It must have been a rude awakening for Wrexham to find themselves so heavily beaten up front. They were driven back yards in the scrums and could not match the commanding figure of David Waters in the line-out. Given such a platform by their front five, flankers Richie Collins and Roger Powell had a field day in the loose, frequently driving all before them. Marc Batten and Jason White scored two cracking solo tries - Batten from 40 yds and White from fully 80 yds.