The Western Mail of 6th October 1884 reported:-

"NEWPORT v. BRISTOL ARABS.- On Saturday afternoon about 2,000 people assembled on the Newport ground to witness a match between the above clubs. The home team had the game in their hands throughout, scoring six goals, seven tries, and ten touches-down to one touch-down by the Arabs. The weather was exceedingly fine for the occasion."

However on 6th October 1884 the Bristol Mercury & Daily Post carried a longer report with some differences as to the scoring:-

"BRISTOL  ARABS V.  NEWPORT."

"A match between these teams was played on the ground of the Newport Cricket and Athletic Club on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large company of spectators, there being many ladies present. At the commencement it was feared that Newport was but poorly represented, several of the leading members of the club being absent. The Bristol Club were one member short, and consequently one was drafted from the Newport team after making its appearance on the ground. The visitors kicked off in the face of the sun, which proved somewhat to their disadvantage in the first half of the game. The ball was promptly returned to the visitors' 25, where brisk play at once commenced, and where the struggle continued or some time. It soon became evident that the Arabs were no match for their opponents, who speedily obtained a try and converted it into a goal early in the game. From this to the termination of the game the leather was only at short intervals kept out of the visitors' territory. Play was most pluckily kept up during the first half of the game, and the spectators every now and then gave an encouraging cheer to the visitors, but this did not materially assist them. Several tries were obtained by the home team in quick succession, and three of these were converted into goals, and the visitors stood hopelessly in the rear when half time was called. In the second half of the match they fared but little better, and the only pint gained was one touch down, whilst the home team scored six goals, six tries, and nine touches downs. The beating which Newport sustained on the previous Thursday did much towards consolidating the team and ensuring great caution in play, more particularly in the passing, in which Arthur Gould, Harding, and Clapp (captain) proved most dextrous. Mr. Purden, an old member of the Newport Club, was umpire for Bristol, and Mr. Rosser filled the same onerous post for Newport. At the close three cheers were given for the Bristol Arabs, who took their defeat in remarkably good humour."