The Times of 14th October 1912 laments the 'off-side game' in reporting:-
"BLACKHEATH v. NEWPORT"
"A very keen and even game at Blackheath on Saturday ended in a draw, BLACKHEATH having scored two tries (6 points) and NEWPORT two penalty goals (6 points)."
"The fog in and around London was responsible for the late arrival of some of the players, but the conditions at the Rectory field were to all intents and purposes ideal for football. Overkeenness on both sides may be said to have spoilt what otherwise ought, and probably would, have been a really great game. Although Blackheath crossed the Newport line twice in the first half of the game they by no means had the better of the opening exchanges, and were distinctly lucky to have a lead at all at half-time. Their forwards seemed to be a lighter pack than one is accustomed to see representing them and they were distinctly ragged for the first 20 minutes of the game: indeed, but for W. M. Dickson's clever fielding and beautifully-judged kicks into touch it is more than probable that the Newport forwards would have got through at least twice and scored."
"The modern forward play has become so fast, especially when the conditions are at all favourable, that there is a distinct tendency to play the ball when off-side. This style of play undoubtedly pays in the long run provided that the side which adopts it always plays together, but there are two very important features of the game which are apt to be overlooked, and which are very considerable match winning assets to any regular side - namely, scrummaging and allowing the backs room to develop their game. In this particular match the off-side tactics were greatly responsible for minimizing the effect of the fine three-quarter back play which one expects to see when a first-class Welsh side is in the field. Both sides were to blame, and it is to be hoped that this overkeenness will not be allowed to continue. Interruptions by the referee are in ordinary conditions quite frequent enough, but this plan of sacrificing everything for pace amongst the forwards was undoubtedly responsible for the defeat of England by Scotland last year, and it lso makes an unnecessary addition to a referee's already onerous task."
"Blackheath scored their first try by a plucky run on the right wing by J. G. Skeet, who gave the impression that he would be even more effective if he played in the centre. Their second try was the result of a fine forward rush, but it is only fair to state that F. W. Birt was badly kicked just before this score, for this unlucky mishap left a very big gap in the Newport defence just for that moment. Just before half-time F. W. Birt (who only just failed to drop what would have been a beautiful goal) kicked a penalty goal. Directly after half-time he did so again, and so equalised the scores. Towards the end of the game the Blackheath forwards broke up the Newport attack. Before this it had seemed probable that the Welshmen would win, but there were no typically Welsh movements, such as one is accustomed to associate with the Newport side; indeed, the fielding of both sides outside the scrummage was a distinct disappointment. Blackheath played a new scrummage half-back in K. Horan, who got the ball away quickly, although his passes were not always well directed. K. C. M. Hands, his outside partner, played a splendid game and seems quite likely to make a name for himself at Oxford this year. He is a thoroughly versatile player and can also kick finely. The Newport forwards seemed a fine eight and were not nearly so ragged in their packing as their opponents, but their half-backs were too well marked by C. H. Pillman (whose spoiling powers are hard to estimate) to set the three-quarter backs going so frequently as they could have wished. The teams were:-"
"BLACKHEATH.- W. M. Dickson, back; J. A. B. Carson, M. E. Neale, G. Stokes, and J. G. Skeet, three-quarter backs; K. Horan and K. C. M. Hands, half-backs; Captain W. S. D. Craven, F. S. le Stone, R. P. G. Begbie, R. L. Pillman, F. H. Lacey. E. F. Boyd, J. A. E. Frend, and C. H. Pillman, forwards."
"NEWPORT.- H. Wreford, back; W. P. Geen, H. J. Rowlands, F. W. Birt, and G. L. Hirst, three-quarter backs; T. H. Vile and W. J. Martin, half-backs; H. Uzzell, A. R. Williams, H. Welter, A. Bell, J. Williams, G. Veater, A. Beames, and G. Boots, forwards."
"Mr. F. H. Tzas was the referee."