History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"This afternoon we extend a very warm welcome to friends of long standing - NEWPORT for the 3rd Cup encounter between the two Clubs. At the Brewery Field on 22nd February 1975 we won 18-7, and the next occasion was in 1991/92 when Newport won at Rodney Parade 9-4."

"This season, in the competition's 3 away games, Newport have defeated Amman United 8-6, Pontypool United 10-0 and Cardiff H.S.O.B. Harlequins 27-11. Bridgend wins have been Pentyrcn 30-3 (H), Fleur de Lys 12-0 (A) and Llandovery 41-0(H)."

"Newport overall record to date reads - played 33, won 18, lost 15. Points for 707, against 655. JONATHAN WESTWOOD is top scorer with 178 points from 9 tries, 37 conversions, 21 penalty goals, ANDREW LANE - 80 points from 16 tries, and JASON WILLIAMS - 92 points from 3 tries, 10 conversions and 19 penalty goals."

"In the current squad D. WATERS, R. BIDGOOD, G. GEORGE, A. CARTER, M. DAVIS, A. ALLEN and K. MOSELEY are full internationals, D. REES ('B' international) and J. WESTWOOD, J. WILLIAMS and D. LLEWELLYN (U-21). The outstanding long-serving players are DAVID WATERS?661 games (128 points) and captain GLEN GEORGE - 282 games (239 points). Welsh Development Squad players include J. WESTWOOD, S. McCRACKEN, A. LEWIS, M. YENDLE, M. VOYLE and A. DIBBLE. ROGER BIDGOOD is the Club's vice-captain."

"Newport are in 7th position in the Heineken 1st Division League Table (with 18 points) - one behind Bridgend with 19 points, includes a "double" against Pontypool."

"On the administrative front Mr. EWART PRYER has been elected caretaker chairman in place of Mr. JEFF WATKINS who resigned last week, and we take this opportunity of extending our best wishes for a speedy and complete, recovery to Club Secretary Mr. CAMPBELL BLACK who was taken ill recently whilst on duty at Llanelli."

"Despite the importance of today's game for both Clubs, it is hoped that the occasion will be an enjoyable one, both on and off the field of play for Officials, Players and Supporters of both Clubs."

"For Bridgend, there are 8 changes from the side which defeated Aberavon 19-15 on Saturday, with NIGEL SPENDER reverting to his usual No. 8 position. Behind the scrum GLEN WEBBE and LUC EVANS take over from Graham Davies and Tim Michael with ROBERT HOWLEY returning from Hong Kong to take over from Nick Flay. In the pack the returning forwards are DAVID REES, STEVE JONES, SIMON JENKINS, ANDREW GWILYM and DAVID BRYANT for David Austin, Ian Greenslade, Jeff Jenkins, Nathan Jones and Darren Jones. SIMON BRYANT completes the replacement bench, the remaining 5 all having played on Saturday last."

Newport were desperately unlucky to be knocked out at the quarter-final stage, after a pulsating and incident packed tie at a soaked and windswept Brewery Field. Newport had clawed back from a 12pt deficit playing the first half into the elements. Two Jon Westwood penalties and the only try of the game scored by Chris Scott, wich was converted by Westwood, gave them a one point lead. This was quickly rubbed out by another Luc Evans penalty goal but Westwood replied with his third. With time running out and Newport feeling the fates (and referee) were against them, vigilant referee David Davies blew up in injury time on the Newport 25 ruling that Chris Scott unbound from a scrum and then rejoined it. Evans stepped up and slotted over his fourth and decisive penalty.

Newport felt doubly aggrieved because the wind died down midway through the half when it was at their backs and the driving rain stopped to a drizzle.

Pandemonium broke out after the final whistle with players, officials and supporters feeling they had been cheated out of a place in the semi-finals. Newport looked like they had done enough to win this game but the strange decisions of referee Davies at vital stages kept a retreating Bridgend in touch.