"NOTES AND TOPICS"
"With all its attractiveness and excitement it is a relief to relegate International football to the background for the time being. The respite affords club officials a chance to restore things to their normal state after the severe dislocation to which club matters have been subject for some time past and enables the Committee, with some degree of certainty, to place representative sides in the field to fulfil ordinary club fixtures, to the satisfaction of the faithful club supporter. This season, the Cardiff Club more than any other Welsh organisation, have suffered the penalty of having so many players engaged in Trials and International games - none can cavil at that in view of the honour bestowed on both club and players, but there is now a new demand on players to be met with, that of the newly-instituted Police Union Rugby organization, which, in the discharge recently of several Saturday fixtures, has made serious inroads on the resources of Welsh clubs, particularly Cardiff and Newport. Only last Saturday the Police Union claimed from Cardiff the services of Tom Williams, A. Bassett, H. O. Edwards and Harry Rees just when the team going to Gloucester were already short of Cliff Jones, Arthur Jones (captain), Eddie Watkins, and Bale. Surely there is reason to expect that some understanding is arrived at in this connection, otherwise if the Police Union are going to persist in the policy of playing a series of Saturday matches, the Cardiff Club will be continually turning out "shadow" sides, and that will have depressing results from a playing point of view, with further serious consequences reflected in the matter of decreasing support from the public. Reliance on Athletic players is one thing, and none can complain at the heroic way in which the "Nursery" players have helped the Seniors in time of distress, but club supporters naturally expect to see their "stars" in action, and there is intense disappointment when such is not the case. It will be gratifying to all concerned if an amicable solution can emerge from the state of chaos in which the Cardiff Club has found itself as often as not during the present season."
"The best available sides are expected to turn out today for the third engagement this season between Cardiff and Newport, and it is sincerely hoped that none other cause than injury will prevent any piayer fulfilling his duty to his club. It is confidently expected that W. Wooller and Cliff Jones will be in harness - neither played against Newport in the previous match on the Park. W. Wooller demonstrated most convincingly last Saturday what a match-winner he can be by dropping two goals (in three minutes) and making a glorious opening for Porter's try to give the Blue and Blacks a sensational win at Gloucester. These two "stars" at the peak of their form this afternoon should enable Cardiff to win,to draw level with their rivals, as Newport won the first match, at Cardiff, last October, most unexpectedly by 6 pts. to 5 pts., while the second gpme, at Newport, in November, resulted in a draw of 3 points each. Both sides have been through some vicissitudes in the meantime, Newport mostly on account of injuries and departures, as J.C.Wright, the former English forward, has now left the Uskside town, while Roger Wade, the outside half, who promised so well, has departed for London, to pursue his medical studies, in which we all wish him well."
"Newport's resources forward are so great that V. J. Law, the captain, can always lead a commanding eight, and they are going to prove Cardiff's biggest obstacle. It is behind the pack that Newport find it difficult to field their full complement. If Allen and Adams play, they will have a formidable pair both in attack and defence - Adams hasn't played since Xmas owing to injury. Roger Edwards and Glyn Williams are two three-quarters on the young side who have done exceedingly well since drafted into the Senior side. Newport have experienced difficulty with the outside-half berth. Last Saturday, against Leicester, they introduced K. Lancey, a former Newport High School boy, who made a promising debut, but who was so badly injured that he will not be able to play for about six weeks. Decidedly hard luck that. The A. N. Other to replace him now turns out to be G. W. Jones, Chepstow's star player and skipper, so today it will be a case of Jones v. Jones. Whatever the final constitution of their side, Newport can be depended upon to rise to the occasion, but Cardiff's chief comfort and hope lies in the fact that the best possible side is expected to field as chosen, with the full back division in action once more - it is a treat to see their names in print, and they should inspire sufficient confidence to win. In the pack Harry Rees will move forward to the front rank to take the place of Bale, who has been badly injured. Eddie Watkins will in turn, take Rees' place in the second row, leaving Roy Roberts as 'lock' forward. This rearrangement looks very effective on paper - if it proves as conclusive on the field of play then Harry Rees, who deputises for A. H. Jones as captain, should lead a winning pack and a winning side."
"Next Saturday another great game is anticipated, when Llanelly are our visitors. The 'Sospan Fach' brigade lead Cardiff in the Championship Table, owing to the Blue and Blacks' defeat at Coventry . Cardiff's bid to recapture their position of eminence should provide the crowd with in epic struggle and endless thrills."
"Next week is Students' Inter-College week, and their outstanding effort is to help the Cardiff Royal Infirmary and to swell the Centenary appeal for funds. A match for that purpose will be staged on the Park next Wednesday, the 23rd instant, when Greek meets Greek - otherwise the Medical College meet the Technical College. The Welsh Rugby Wizard, Cliff Jones, will kick off at 3 p.m. and the admission is only 6d., so roll up and see some fun and so help a great deserving cause."