From the match programme:-
"After a month's absence from the Athletic Grounds, in the course of which six matches have been played away from home, Newport return to open their Easter programme against Bath at Rodney Parade to-day. This is the great Rugby festival of the year, and Newport's games against Bath, London Welsh and Barbarians should certainly provide outstanding attractions."
"Since their last home appearance on March 12th, Newport have done particularly well to meet with only one defeat - and this rather an unlucky one at Gloucester. It is difficult to recall a season when the toll of injuries and illness - not to mention International calls - has been so heavy. The aggravated illness of the captain, Hedley Rowland, the injury which will keep vice-captain Travers out of the game for the rest of the season, and the misfortune of Graham Ross at Crosskeys last week, add to the problems of a side striving to maintain to the season's end its record of success and achievement. The team's accomplishments, maintained without serious set-back are all the more praiseworthy when it is recalled that for half the season injury has deprived the side of such players as Gwili Jenkins, Deryck Jones and Tom Sterry. Ken Jones has been rarely available, Malcolm Thomas was an early season loss, while all too little has it been possible to include Ken Spray. In the ordinary course such a succession of misfortunes would seriously have reflected on the play and record of the team, but such is the spirit of the Newport side this season, and so good the reserve talent, that the standard of excellence set from the commencement has been thoroughly maintained. Young players drafted into the threequarters, R. D. Owen, A. G. Stephens and G. Perriam, all reveal great promise, while older players like Alf. Panting and Roger Wade continue to give valuable aid on the numerous occasions they are called into service for the first XV."
"Jack Bale will skipper the Newport side to-day which will include in the threequarter line Trevor Brewer, the young centre already marked for high honours in the game, and Alan Roach on the left wing, making his first appearance of the season for Newport. Plymouth think highly of their "capture," and undoubtedly this player has made great strides."
"Newport won very well at Bath just a month ago by 18 points to nil. But Bath are capable of much better form than they showed that day, and possibly they are reserving it for their welcome visit to open Newport's holiday programme again this Easter."