The Sunday Times of 9th October 1938 reported:-
"SOUND TACTICS BY NEWPORT"
"RUGBY AS IT SHOULD BE PLAYED"
"CLEVER TRIES"
"By T. H. Evans Baillie"
"Blackheath 13pts., Newport 16"
"The score by which Newport won at the Rectory Field - two goals, a penalty goal, and a try to two goals and a try - is indicative of the closeness of the game, but gives no hint of the excitement and appreciation aroused by it."
"Not only was the result open up to the last minute, but both sides, particularly Newport, gave a refreshing display of many Rugby virtues which are often neglected. This feature was all the more welcome in view of the fact that stalemate and "defence first" have characterised many recent Blackheath-Newport games at the Rectory Field."
"It is understood that recent changes in team selection at Newport have not met with universal approval locally but those who saw them at Blackheath would be hard put to it to find grounds for backing up dissentients. Every man shaped like a player; the cardinal points of taking a pass at speed, keeping alignment and safe tackling were observed by the backs; the forwards bound correctly and timed their shove and the characteristic Welsh failing of over-elaboration never raised its head to neutralise promising movements."
"INTEREST NEVER FLAGGED"
"The result was a game in which interest never flagged, played in the best imaginable spirit."
"Blackheath come out with just as much credit, if only because they realised that the chance to win lasted until the inal whistle. Three minutes from time they whittled down an eight-point lead to one of three points, and they were attacking when the last whistle sounded, W. P. Barton being bowled over into touch after a fine passing movement"
"In such a game it would be easy to expatiate on the players at considerable length. It is sufficient to say that the balance and unselfishness of the Newport "triangle" - K. A. Lancey, E. Thomas and W. H. M. Baker - were wholly admirable; that Legge was a cool and polished back, and that J. Hawkins was indefatigable; while for Blackheath J. Parsons, behind a beaten pack, never gave up hope, and J. S. Moll and D. N. F. Kempston richly earned the keen marking with which they were honoured."
"A SWEEPING ATTACK"
"The game opened with almost continuous Blackheath pressure. P. D. Gange showed up in a rush, and M. H.A. Martin failed with a penalty kick. A kick ahead by Moll was well followed by J. G. W. Davies, and these two and J. A. Macdonald made a sweeping attack for half the length of the field, but Newport scored first. A back-row man overran the ball to tackle Hawkins and Legge placed a penalty goal."
"Newport by now had established their supremacy in the tight, and, although a lovely movement by Moll and Kempston gave Macdonald a try, which Martin converted, Hawkins and Lancey combined in a run from which Baker scored under the bar, Legge converting."
"Just before half-time Kempston short-kicked, caught the ball on the bound and sent to Barton, whose try made the scores even."
"GOOD FOLLOWING UP"
"These three scores contained the best constructive elements of rugby, and the first seven minutes of the second half continued up to the same standard. Lancey ran with discretion and balance, and was awarded a try, though Macdonald seemed to charge him off the ball as he was about to touch-down and Hawkins reaped the reward of good following up by himself and J. Driscoll with a try which Legge converted."
"Fifteen minutes into the second half Blackheath earned a cheer by heeling the ball - an indication of the one-sided scrummaging. The backs had their chances, but one of the best was spoilt by a cracking tackle by Thomas - so hard that he dazed himself for a minute or two."
"Moll, Kempston and Smith combined well for a try by the last named, and Martin converted, but that was as far as the "Club" were allowed to go, and the honours, if not the points, were shared."
"BLACKHEATH.- C. J. Fletcher; W. P. Barton, J. G. W. Davies, J. S. Moll, J. A. Macdonald; D. N. F. Kempston, J. Parsons; F. J. L. Carey, M. H. A. Martin, G. F. Smith, P. D. Gange, B. S. Downward, D. T. Kemp, L. S. Bailey, E. G. Cooper."
"NEWPORT.- W. G. Legge; G. Williams, W. H. M. Baker, E. Thomas, J. T. Knowles; K. A. Lancey, J. Hawkins; V. J. Law, J. Driscoll, B. Gough, J. C. Jerman, A. J. Bale, W. G. Jones, J. H. Harry, G. L. Richards."