Newport's first ever defeat.

The Western Mail of 21st November 1879 reported:-

"FOOTBALL"

"BLACKHEATH v. NEWPORT"

"A football match, which had been looked forward to with marked interest by the votaries of football throughout the whole of South Wales and Monmouthshire, was contested at Newport on Thursday, in the presence of more than five thousand spectators. The teams were those of Newport and Blackheath, and despite the previous uninterrupted success of the local men, it must be admitted that they displayed great boldness in casting down the gauntlet to a club which stands almost second to none, and comprises some of the best players of which the country, and, we believe, the world can boast. The day was cold and dry, but a high wind prevailed, which was unfavourable, particularly to the visitors, whose captain is renowned for his exceptional skill in the drop kick. The following were the names:- Blackheath: S. Stokes and A. Poland, back; L. Stokes (captain), three-quarter back; A. H. Jackson and H. H. Taylor, half-back; A. Budd, G. W. Burton, S. Ellis, J. A. Fraser, W. Hewitt, A. R. Layman, J. Lister, S. Neame, A. Spurling, and G. T. Vernon, forwards. It is worthy of note that Messrs. L. Stokes, A. H. Jackson, H. H. Taylor, A. Budd, G. W. Burton, S. Neame, and G. T. Vernon have all played in international matches. Newport: C. F. Thompson, back; J. J. Woods and F. Phillips, three-quarter backs; C. Newman, half-back; T. Spittle and C. H. Knox, quarter-back; W. Ponsford, W. Phillips (captain), R. H. Loane, H. S. Lyne, T. Harding, A. Goss, F. A. Goss, and A. A. Newman, forwards. Blackheath won the toss, and Stokes kicked off against the wind. After being twice driven into touch, the ball was secured by Spurling, who passed it to Ellis. He was collared, and after a scrimmage Jackson gained a fair catch. Stokes tried for goal, but was unsuccessful. The ball was immediately returned, and fell again into the hands of L. Stokes, who made a very spirited run. By a succession of passes it was brought near to the Newport goal, and the back touched down in self defence. A run by Burton, brought the ball again well into Newport territory, and in a scrimmage Budd got possession of it, and running backwards almost succeeded in touching down in goal. The danger was averted by another touch down in self- defence. Play being recommenced, Jackson made a clever run, and, being collared, passed the ball to Budd, who dribbled it well forward. He was overthrown; but Jackson was on the alert; and maintained the advantage. Budd again came to the front, and evading several of the Newportonians, he made off with the leather and secured a try. L. Stokes again failed to cover the crossbar, but on the ball being returned he gained a fair catch. He landed the ball beyond bounds, and a maul, followed by some skilful play by Neame, resulted in a desperate struggle near the Newport posts. On the ball being kicked out by Spittal, L. Stokes tried a drop for goal, but the attempt was futile, and Newport touched down in self-defence. The strangers continued to drive the home team before them, and it was not long before the ball was passed rapidly from Spurling to Ellis, and from Ellis to Taylor. The latter, whose play was throughout most admirable, ran in, touching down well behind the goal posts. This time the try was converted into a goal; and L. Stokes was very warmly applauded. W. Phillips kicked off, and, after some keen play, during which F. Phillips (Newport) and L. Stokes, Jackson, and Burton (Blackheath) distinguished themselves, the home team were once more obliged to defend their goal. Ultimately Vernon made off with the ball, and scored a try to the right of the goal post. The position was unfavourable, and L. Stokes failed in the place kick. The ball being sent into the open, L. Stokes made a plucky run, and subsequently Spurling got a fair catch, but without any noteworthy result. Taylor next came to the fore, and a splendid run by him was taken advantage of by Vernon, and a try was secured. The place kick sent the ball wide, and Spittle returning it, a maul ensued. Budd then got the ball, and after a run passed it to Vernon, who was soon collared. A scrimmage followed close to the line of goal, and the ball being worked out by the visitors in clever style, Taylor secured it from behind, and running in easily gained a try. Stokes failed to convert the try into a goal, but the ball was no sooner kicked out than Fraser, a player of powerful physique, gained possession of it, and, overthrowing several Newport men who gave chase, carried it into close proximity with the home goal. On being ultimately stopped, he passed the ball to Budd, and he gained a try near the end of the line of goal. The place kick by Stokes was a fine illustration of that gentleman’s skill at the drop. The ball alighted on the cross-bar, and falling over was declared to be a goal. Woods distinguished himself when play was resumed, but no permanent advantage was gained by Newport, and after some loose play the ball was passed by Taylor to Budd, and then in succession to Vernon, Fraser, Burton, and Jackson, the latter running in and securing a try. The place kick was unsuccessful, and the game on being recommenced became very exciting, Newport for a time maintaining the advantage. On the ball going into touch, L. Stokes held it up on the pretence of throwing it out, but instead of doing so he bounced it on the ground and then endeavoured to run in. The ruse took the home team by surprise, but Newman was on the alert, and L. Stokes was collared. F. Phillips then returned the ball by a punt, and some smart dribbling by Harding, Lyne, Newman, and Woods followed. At this juncture the Blackheath goal seemed to be in danger, and every advantage gained was loudly cheered by the spectators. The triumph was hardly more than momentary, the ball being driven on to the Newport ground. Half-time was then called, and the respective teams indulged in a brief and well earned rest, the result standing as follows: Blackheath, two goals, three tries, and three touches down to nil. It is not necessary to describe the remaining half of the game, which was throughout in favour of the strangers. The local men continued to exert themselves to the utmost, but it was evident they had not "the shadow of a chance" against the superior play of their opponents, whose skill, agility, and gentlemanly behaviour was admired and eulogised by all. When time was called, four goals, eight tries, and eleven touches down had been secured by Blackheath to Newport nil. The defeat was one of which they need not be ashamed, and, if they are wise, they will profit by the experience."