"CLIFTON v. NEWPORT.- A match was played on Saturday, between these clubs, on the ground of the latter. This was in lieu of a match between Gloucestershire and South Wales. There was a large number of spectators, notwithstanding the inclement state of the weather. There was at least four inches of snow on the ground, yet both teams played admirably well, and exhibited a great deal of pluck. The game began at 3.30. W. Phillips, captain of Newport, kicking off, he having lost the toss. The ball was sent well into the Clifton 25, but J. D. Miller, with one of his splendid drops, turned it well into the home team's quarter. The scrummages now began, but not in the heavy style of last year. The home team and their visitors dribbled in good form. The ball was gradually worked into the visitors' 25 and they were soon afterwards compelled to touch down in self-defence. Moggridge showed the finest piece of play during the afternoon. He took a drop kick, but failed. Yet immediately he followed the ball up, and by some capital dribbling carried it over the line between the goal posts, thus obtaining the first scoring point in the game; the ball was carried out and placed by Newman, and Moggridge placed a very neat goal to the credit of Newport. No other point occurred of importance till after half time was called. The ball was re-started by J. D. Miller with a capital kick, taking it right up to the home team's goal, but the back was equal to the occasion, and speedily returned it. Loose and tight scrummaging was again pursued, with the exception of an occasional run by Pruen, Newman, and Rosser. At last from loose scrimmage, dangerously near the visitors' goal, Ponsford succeeded in planting the ball on the line, and the Clifton umpire gave it in his favour. The place kick was again entrusted to A. J. Moggridge, and his attempt to put the ball over the posts was excellent, it being a most difficult kick, and resulted in a poster. On behalf of Clifton J. D. Miller, H. L. Evans, J. E. Bush, C. Hurst, and G. M. Butterworth did good service; and for Newport C. H. Newman, A. J. Moggridge, E. Jenkins, A. Goss, and G. Harding (by his splendid dribbling) played well throughout. The game resulted in Newport obtaining one goal, one try, and compelled Clifton to touch down five times in self-defence to Clifton nil. The teams were:- Clifton: J. D. Miller (captain), back; H. W. R. Gribble and H. M. A. Wood, three-quarter backs; G. G. Pruen and H. L. Evans, half-backs; J. H. Dunn, J. E. Bush, J. P. Bush, C. Hurst, E. P. Warren, C. Scott, G. M. Butterworth, G. Parnell, and one substitute, forwards. Newport: C. F. Thompson, back; F. Phillips and A. J. Moggridge, three-quarter backs; G. Rosser, half-back; C. H. Newman and T. Spittle, quarter backs; W. Phillips (captain), H. Lyne, E. Jenkins, A. F. Goss, A. Goss, W. Ponsford, W. L. Evans, G. Harding, and R. H. Loane, forwards; H. Mullock, umpire. The visitors played one short in their team."
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Clifton, 22 February 1879 
On the 24th February 1879 the Western Mail reported:-
* There was no points system in place prior to 1890-91. Instead, a game was determined by the number of goals scored (conversions, dropped goals, and later, penalties). If a try was scored, an opportunity to convert the try into a goal was given. If the goal was kicked successfully, the try no longer counted.
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