On 10th March 1885 the Bristol Mercury & Daily Post carried the following report:-
"NEWPORT v. ARABS."
"A match between the above clubs was played on the Downs on Saturday, in the presence of about 2,000 spectators. Considerable interest was felt owing to the ormer club having won the challenge cup for South Wales this season, and this being the first occasion they have played on the Downs for many years. The visitors brought a powerful team with them, including several International cracks. The Arabs unfortunately lost the services of two of their backs, who failed to put in an appearance. Chandler having won the toss decided to play down-hill, and Clapp kicked off for the visitors, which was well returned by Symes. The game for some time was of a very fast description, the ball travelling up and down the ground with great rapidity, until from a punt by Dowdall a try was secured by the visitors, but it was not improved upon. Shortly after, the ball being passed to Bennett, he made a good run, but finding he was pressed passed to Burgess, who got away in fine style and scored a try, but the place kick was unsuccessful. The Arabs now played well together, and the visitors finding their forwards were losing ground let out the ball to their backs and a try was scored which was converted into a goal by A. Gould. After changing ends the Arab forwards still had the best of the scrimmages, but they could not withstand the rapid passing of the visitors' backs, and A. Gould getting possession of the ball made a brilliant run and secured a try, which he converted into a goal. The same player shortly after made a splendid drop kick and obtained another goal. The game eventually finished in a victory for the visitors by 3 goals, 2 tries, and 2 touches down, to 1 try, 1 touch-in-goal, and 3 touches down. Clapp, A. Gould, Harding, and Briggs played well for the visitors; as did Bennett, Winter, Perrin, and Denning for the Arabs. Arabs. – H. Symes, back; J. H. Burgess, L. C. Bennett, and J. Cox, three-quarter-backs; W. A. Chandler (captain) and W. Perrin, half-backs; J. W. Winter, F. Hill, A. G. Sheppard, R. Davis, E. G. Turnbull, F. Marks, B. Roberts, C. P. Denning, F. Beaven, forwards."