A good early report in the Western Mail of 22nd November 1888, unfortunately of a crushing defeat it seems:-

"CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY V. NEWPORT."

"The Newport club paid their third visit to London during the present season on Wednesday afternoon when they encountered the Cambridge University Fifteen at the Queen's Club Ground, West Kensington. The weather proved dull, and a rather strong wind materially affected the kicking of both teams. Comparatively few people were on the ground. A start was made at twenty minutes past three, when Newport, who had the service of A. J. Gould, now better known in connection with Richmond, were soon compelled to act on the defensive. Morrison all but got in, Downe just kicking the ball dead in time to prevent the major point. After the drop out Jordan missed a pass from Gould, and Scott, getting possession, ran to within a few yards of the Newport line, where the Cambridge half gave Todd a chance, but the three-quarter was pushed into touch. G. Thomas's touch down relieved the pressure on the Welsh goal, and the forwards screwing cleverly and doing good work in the loose, the play was gradually worked back to the light blue quarters, where for a few minutes Newport looked dangerous. Cave, who played splendidly throughout, headed a fine rush back, and Scott, dashing in, got almost on the Newport line, when Gould cleverly touched down. A little later Scott was again to the fore, and, after putting in a fine run, the Cantab passed to Alderson, who cleverly dodged George Thomas and Webb, and gained a try. Scott placed an easy goal. Ends were changed with the University leading by a goal to nothing. The Welshmen had the wind in their favour  so far and had been hard pressed, but there had been nothing in the play  to foreshadow what occurred in the second half. As a matter of fact, The Welshmen went all to pieces, and except for two brief intervals could scarcely ever force the game much beyond their own 25. They could not hold the scrimmages, and anything weaker than the tackling could not well be imagined. Indeed, the play in the second half may be summarised in the scoring of the Cantabs. Scarcely had the game been re-started when Scott dashed over the Newport line and grounded the ball between the posts, but failed at an easy place kick. Immediately afterwards Alderson, who had passed very badly in the first half, got over the line, Bowhill converting the point into a goal. Cambridge again worked their way down the Newport 25, where Alderson obtained another try, Scott, who undertook the kick, landing the ball over the bar. The Light Blues were then three goals and a try ahead, but they speedily increased their advantage. Todd next got over the line, but Bowhill failed to improve the point; and then, after some pretty passing, Morrison making, perhaps, the finest run of the day, secured another try. Again the kick failed; but Alderson, eluding the Newport backs once more, got in, and Scott kicked a fourth goal. Then, for a minute, Newport got away, and O. Thomas making his mark, Webb placed a clever goal. The Light Blues, however, were not to be denied, and just on the call of time Alderson obtained a fourth try, Scott placing a goal. A terribly one-sided game thus ended in favour of Cambridge. As will be readily understood, Newport showed nothing of that defensive game which characterised their play at Blackheath and Richmond; but, on the other hand, there was an entire absence of that roughness which excited so much unfavourable comment on the other occasions they appeared in London. The sides were:- Cambridge University: E. Bramet, back; P. H. Morrison, F. H. Alderson, and T. Todd, three-quarter backs; J. W. Cave, J. W. Bowhill, A. Trethewy, R. C. Langton, W. N. Mayne, F. C. Bee, Frank F. N. Fischer, E. Prescott, and S. M. J. Woods, forwards. Newport: J. E. Webb, back; H. M. Jordan, A. J. Gould, and G. Thomas, three-quarter backs; O. J. Thomas and T. Downe, half-backs; T. Harding (captain), H. T. Day, J. Hannen, E. J. Williams, T. W. Lockwood, T. Edwards, T.H. Griffiths, T. Newcombe, and T. C. Graham, forwards. Umpires, H. Finch (Middlesex Wanderers) and J. Jones (Newport). Referee, G. Rowland Hill (hon. Secretary of the Rugby Football Union)."