The Western Mail of 22nd December 1884 reported:-

"NEATH v. NEWPORT.- The return match between these two clubs took place on the Newport Ground on Saturday afternoon. The weather overhead was brilliantly fine, the only drawback being the very strong wind which blew from goal to goal. The ground was in a very sodden state owing to the frequent heavy rains, but the attendance was good. Neath was successful in the toss, and Newport kicked off against the wind, and the forwards put in some really good dribbling. The ball was kept well within the visitors' twenty-five. Out of a loose scrimmage A. Gould picked the ball and neatly passed to Jordan, who secured the first try. McDaniel was entrusted with the place kick, but the wind, which was blowing with great force, drove the leather back, and the ball fell short of the cross bar by several yards. When the ball was re-started, the Neath forwards played with remarkable vigour, and so well did they pass and charge that Newport was within five minutes compelled to act on the defensive, and finally to touch down to save their goal, a performance they had to repeat a few minutes afterwards. Although the home team played a rattling game , they could not for a long time get the leather away from their ground, and the Neath forwards soon got so near the posts that the three-quarters managed to obtain a try. The kick was a very difficult one and failed. When the ball was again set in motion , Newport's prospects began to show much better for a short time , as they quickly rushed the ball down the whole length of the ground to within a few feet of the coveted line. So far could they get and no further. Several hard-fought scrimmages resulted, when, with the help of the wind, the ball was again taken into the home territory, and, the visitors forcing the play, Newport twice had to touch down in quick succession. Some really pretty play and neat passing again enabled the visitors to keep the play away from their ground. By keeping well together Neath again worked their way into the opposition 25, and one of their forwards, getting a good opening, dropped the first goal. The game now stood – Neath, one goal and a try, as against one try. Unfortunately for Newport, when the teams changed ends the wind dropped to a minimum, and, although towards the end of the game it freshened again, at no time did it blow with such strength as it had done when Neath had the advantage of it. No time was lost in resuming operations, Newport getting to work with a will, and so well did they play together that Clapp was enabled to gain a second try. The kick failed. For a short time the visitors seemed to fall to pieces in their play , and Newport, taking advantage of this weakness, played with greater resolution, and eventually Jordan, by an excellent run, placed another try to the credit of the home team. But the kick again failed. Neath now tried very hard to work the ball away from their goal, but were met at every move with such strong opposition that they did not once succeed in getting half-way down the ground. Before time was called Neath had been forced to touch down four times, and did not succeed in adding anything to what they had scored during the former portion of the game, although they were eventually left the winners by one goal and a try to three tries."