History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Today Welsh rugby albeit temporarily will switch its attention from the national scene to the domestic scene and in particular today's W.R.U Schweppes Cup fifth round games. The Heineken Premier Division sides enter the competition for the first time and we extend a warm welcome to the Gnoll to the Newport players, officials and supporters."

"This will be the second time for the clubs to meet in the Schweppes Cup competition. The teams last met on Saturday the 25th of February 1984 in a fourth round match played at the Gnoll and on that occasion Neath were the winners by 25 points to 11 and went on to beat Aberavon in the semi-final and losing the final to Cardiff."

"In the last Cup match Neath were inspired by Jonathan Davies who was playing his first game after 15 month lay off due to injury. His performance ensured that the All Blacks gave one of their finest performances of that season in subduing a Newport side captained by the then Welsh captain Mike Watkins."

"The sole survivor of that Newport side is David Waters. Flanker Roger Powell who played in that game is now a member of the coaching staff at the Rodney Parade."

"Of the Neath team the sole survivor is prop Brian Williams who scored a try that day. The other try scorers were Neil Harris, Lyn Jones and Keiran Jones. Jonathan Davies dropped a goal and 3 of the tries were converted by Neil Harris."

"Newport will come to the Gnoll full of confidence having defeated Neath at Rodney Parade on the 19th of December and becoming the first Welsh side to do so since October 1989."

"The Newport side is captained by Glenn George who along with co-flanker Alun Carter gained their first Welsh caps last Saturday against England."

"Newport currently head the First Division of the Heineken League and are hot favourites for promotion to the Premier Division at the end of the season. In the last round of the Cup Newport defeated Amman United."

"In recent weeks the All Blacks have suffered some set backs with defeat at home by Llanelli in the Heineken League and a defeat on the eve of the Wales v England International at the hands of Wasps. Kevin Phillips and his team will be under no illusions as to the task that will face them this afternoon and Neath will have to be at their very best to overcome the Newport side who are enjoying their most successful season for a number of years."

"Being the Cup holders the Neath squad will be reluctant to lose their grip on the Cup and are desperately keen to return to the National Stadium on the 4th of May for their fourth successive Cup Final."

"Newport have made 2 Cup Final appearances defeating Cardiff in the 1977 final by 16 points to 15 and losing the following season to Swansea by 13 points to 9."

"We anticipate a titanic struggle in what is undoubtedly the match of the round and trust that the game will be a credit to both clubs and to the Cup competition itself."

"Kevin Phillips and his players would be the first to acknowledge the tremendous support given by the supporters over the season. In recent weeks the support has not been as vociferous and supportive as in the past and I would ask all Neath supporters today to give encouragement and support to the side."

"Finally best wishes to the players of both sides who have been selected to play for Wales next Saturday."

"Unpleasant Words to Write"

"I have no doubt that by now most of you will have read the statement I made this week to the Press on the Management Committee's behalf following our home match with Llanelli. This was a step that we greatly regretted having to take but the concern we all felt meant we had no other option."

"Most members and supporters, from what we hear, are just as concerned as we are for the future well being of our club and our game and will want to protect its image and interests. It is a sad fact of life that a minority can ruin the majority's enjoyment and pleasure. Neath RFC is not prepared to allow this to happen and will take determined steps to maintain the sporting reputation of Rugby Football in Neath."

"This club will be a hundred and twenty years old next year and we have no intention of allowing a few to sully its proud traditions."

"The steps we are now forced to take, will hopefully bring the necessary response and we shall not see a repetition of what took place during our match with Llanelli. As Chairman I would like to think that Neath supporters were not responsible but sadly the evidence is that some were involved."

"It must be clearly understood, as I stated in the Press, that any member identified as behaving in an unruly manner will have his membership privileges withdrawn and face a ban on future membership. Any spectator who behaves in a similar way will be ejected from the ground and will also be banned from entering the Gnoll. In this we have the full co-operation and support of the Police."

"In addition we are imposing immediately a ban on alcohol being brought into the ground. This is one of the serious provisions of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act and it will be enforced. In this too the Police will be giving us their support and co-operation."

"I am well aware that tensions can run high given the competitive nature of the game in Wales today but excitement and tension are part of what the game has to offer and must not be used as an excuse for loutish behaviour."

"Whilst writing plainly I am appealing to everyone to accept these words in the spirit they are given. We want rugby to continue being the family game it has always been in Neath and throughout Wales."

"For many years now our players have given us success beyond measure. As one who enjoyed the support of the Gnoll crowd as a player I feel I am qualified to say that bad crowd behaviour is an insult to the players."

"I want to make a further appeal to our members. Please use the seats to which you have been allocated especially during those matches which are all-ticket. It makes stewarding of the ground much easier and practical."

"We need your help to ensure the fullest enjoyment for anyone who comes to the Gnoll and I am sure you will give us all the assistance and co-operation you can."

"These have not been pleasant words to write and I sincerely hope that I will not have to write in a simular vain again."

"The hope now is that we all enjoy this afternoon's match and wish the best of luck to players of both sides."

Newport had Neath in disarray early on as they started where they had left off at Rodney Parade a month earlier when they ended Neath's 51 match winning run against Welsh opposition. Newport were leading 3 v 6 with Kevin Moseley a colossus in the line-out and Roger Bidgood was threatening to spread Neath's midfield all over the Gnoll with his piercing runs, but then it all turned sour after 32 minutes. Newport lost prop Mark Davis and the whole course of the game changed from that moment. Where Newport had been sound they were all over the place as replacement prop Sean Duggan just couldn't cope with the Neath onslaught in the pressure cooker atmosphere. Newport started to slide backwards in the scrum and the confidence visibly wilted from the side. Neath picked up, realising they could win the game. The scrums became a procession and 3 minutes from the end of each half they conceded penalty tries. Newport, who had already lost Andrew Lewis and Mark Davis, now lost Mark Yendle who was put into hospital by a suicidal high tackle by Neath flanker Phil Pugh. Acting like a wildman, he hit Yendle with his elbow and was immediately sent off with Yendle suffering a broken nose. Newport gained more of the game after Pugh's dismissal, but by then, the game was effectively over.