From the match programme:-
"NOTES"
"Penarth, almost by privilege of right, and certainly of custom, open the 1948-9 season at Rodney Parade to-day. The first game is ever the occasion of optimism and high hopes, fondly nurtured by every Club team, official and supporter in the Kingdom, that this opening match is going to indicate a side of talent and a successful season ahead. Whether or not these hopes are ever realised (and for so many they are soon to be tempered and often almost submerged under difficulties) nothing during a season's play can quite replace that anticipatory thrill of optimism that heralds, with new ball on green, unworn turf, the start of Rugby football."
"To Hedley Rowland and his Newport side - our loyal support and best wishes for a successful and, may we add, an inspired season. And to Penarth - ever resolute, capable opponents - a wish similar in sincerity and purpose. And to our own supporters and Rugby followers everywhere - may the season ahead provide an ascending quality of football, with the spirit of enterprise fully in evidence."
"The three Newport sides - Firsts, United and Extras - take the field to-day, and those who advocate a later start to the season will direct their sympathies to the Selection Committee, whose task it is to weld the abundance of old and new talent, following the brief and limited observation which the opening trial matches provide. Whilst the composition of the Newport Team for to-day's opening game is undecided when these notes go to Press, perhaps the outstanding item of interest, arising from the trials, is the decision of W. H. Travers to resume playing after two years of retirement. If this grand forward can - if only for a brief season or two - resume in his old form, then his play and general influence may well mould a great Newport pack - the first essential to a team of greatness. Hedley Rowland (resuming at centre three-quarter) will be readily eager to grasp the significance of this and of Travers's decision."