The Birmingham Post of 14th October 1889 reported the game as follows:-
"MOSELEY V. NEWPORT. – At Newport. The Moseley arrived on the ground about 3 p.m., and their opponents some twenty minutes afterwards. Preliminaries were quickly settled, and J. H. Rogers kicked off towards the town end, with the sun and wind against him. The visitors began at once to press, and kept the game well in the "25" for some time. Give-and-take play was the programme till the visitors gradually forced the home team back to their "25". After a series of "scrums," Mayne, for the visitors, made a good pass to F. Byrne, who, after a plucky run, met with a fall, and the ball was again worked dangerously near the home goal. For a considerable time the play was fast, every inch of ground being well contested by both sides. The long journey taken by the visitors evidently left them very tired and stiff, for they only showed to advantage in the "scrums;" in the open they were not up to their opponents, who were much quicker on the leather. Several free kicks followed on both sides, with only a slight advantage till the half-back (Thomas) made a good shot for goal, which however, went wide. As it was getting close upon half-time the visitors began to show up in better form, Lycett and Mann putting in some very good work. The whistle was blown with the leather well in the home "twenty-five," no points having been scored. When the game was again started the visitors at once began to face the home team, but they relieved several times in grand style. Dr. Robertson and F. Byrne were playing well into each other's hands, and the former by a well-judged pass enabled the latter to get well away to the "twenty-five" when he was grounded by England. After a good return, several free kicks were obtained by the visitors' three-quarters, much to their advantage, as by following well up they again got to a dangerous position for the home team, who were now fairly on their metal, and by a combined effort rushed the leather well into their opponent's twenty-five," Oswell returning well to the half-way flag. Nicol passed to Robertson, and he again passed well to E. J. Byrne, who, amidst great excitement, made the run of the day , and had he only been supported a try for the visitors would have been obtained. The visitors had been working in rather a loose way, but this opened their eyes, and, pulling themselves together, they played in style that frequently met with applause from the spectators. E. J. Byrne, by a splendid effort and a long run grounded the ball behind the post, J. H. Rogers taking the place; but he, shooting wide, no goal resulted. The visitors keeping the game well about goal, J. L. Rogers worked through the men and landed the second try; but R. Smith, taking the place, failed to put it through. The visitors were finally victorious by 2 tries and 3 minors to 3 minors."