History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Newport rugby team will take the field at Rodney Parade this afternoon hoping to reach the sixth round of the Welsh Cup for the second successive season. They were originally due to play the England Courage League club, Richmond, but this fixture had to be shelved so that Newport could meet Cardiff Harlequins."

"It is the third time for Newport to meet a team who operate at a lower level in the competition this season. Yet judging by the opposition they received from Amman United, who held them to a two-points margin victory, and Pontypool United, they can expect stiff opposition from a team who will be eager to emulate that other Cardiff outsider, St. Peter's, who, against all odds, eliminated the Welsh capital's premier team, Cardiff."

"Newport, however, are fully aware of the Harlequins' determination, and they recognise that their opponents are thoroughly capable of stretching them to the limit. Nevertheless, they have never under-estimated the quality of teams who have emerged as giant-killers, and only once have they fallen to a rank outsider since the competition was inaugurated back in 1971-2. That was 12 years ago in a windswept game at Penclawdd."

"Meanwhile, quite a lot has been happening to various Newport players since the last programme was published. That loyal stalwart, Nigel Callard, has recovered from the effects of his knee operation, and such is his eagerness to continue serving the club that he has returned to give a helping hand to Rhys Morgan, the under-21 team's coach."

"More recognition has gone Jason Williams' way. He was picked for the Wales under-21 team who played Scotland's under-21 team at Myreside last weekend. He has now passed the fifty points mark for Newport."

"Five Newport players, including their entire front row of Andrew Dibble, Andrew Peacock and Sean Duggan, were selected for the Monmouthshire team who defeated Glamorgan in the Welsh Cup semi-final. The other two players were centres David Rees and Keith Orrell, and also in the original squad were Jonathan Westwood and Alun Carter."

"Both David Rees and Sean Duggan were afterwards selected to play for the Crawshay XV against Hawick the night before the Scotland and Wales international at Murrayfield, but the most significant happening was the decision of the Welsh selectors to ask Roger Bidgood to stand by in case Mike Hall was unable to play against Scotland in the five nations championship match. As it happened, Hall was passed fit, but Bidgood is still very much in contention for a recall to the team before the season is over!"

"WELCOME, CARDIFF HARLEQUINS . . ."

"Cardiff Harlequins, who were formerly Cardiff H.S.O.B., play in the fourth division of the Heineken League, where they come to grips with such teams as Vardre, who met Newport in the Welsh Cup some years ago, Builth Wells, who they knocked out of the Welsh Cup in this season's fifth round, Ystradgynlais, and the Gwent Eastern Valley club, Garndiffaith."

"The Harlequins, however, are making strenuous efforts to move into the third division, and they are only a few points behind the leaders and have a match in hand. Among their latest victims were Cilfynydd, and they have one of the best try scoring records in the division."

"Besides their successes in cup and league matches this season they have achieved some notable victories in other matches. They trounced Bristol United 52-21, and defeated Newport Saracens. Their youth team is also prospering and recently chalked up a 67-0 victory over Twickenham Colts."

"The Harlequins certainly proved doughty cup-fighters last season when they succeeded in reaching the quarter-finals. In doing so they eliminated two Gwent clubs. They were Abertillery, who they surprisingly but deservedly defeated 17-0, and the Ebbw Vale club, R.T.B., who they beat by the convincing margin of 37-7."

"In the quarter-finals they came up against Pontypridd and, although they always offered stout resistance, they went down 35-15. That, in no small measure, was due to the performance of Welsh international outside half Neil Jenkins. He registered 19 points, scoring two tries, kicking a penalty goal and making four conversions."

Newport were made to work much harder than the scoreline suggests in order to reach the quarter-finals. It needed two tries in the final ten minutes to make certain of further progress against a side who played the more enterprising rugby. They moved the ball around from the offset and had the satisfaction of scoring the games' best try with Simon Hopkin finishing off a flowing move. Newport held a 6pt lead going into the last quarter until replacement Ben Watkins scored a glorious try and an injury time try from Alun Carter rubbed salt into the wounds of the Quins and gave the score-line a flattering look.