From the match programme:-
"NOTES"
"If Records speak aright, thc two strongest sides, certainly in Wales, meet for the third time this season when Cardiff oppose Newport at Rodney Parade. Cardiff have lost only two of their 33 games played, while Newport have been beaten but four times in their 28 matches to date. At Newport, in the first meeting of thc season, the game was drawn 3-3, while at Arms Park, in the second encounter on a very wet November afternoon, Cardiff won by 6 points to 3."
"A brief recording of post-war matches between the Clubs shows Cardiff right ahead with 25 victories to 7 by Newport, with 6 games drawn. Newport, are, in fact, seeking their first success since the third game of the 1952/3 season, when they last registered victory over Cardiff - at Rodney Parade - by 6 points."
"So much interest is focussed on the selection of the next Welsh side, to meet Ireland at Cardiff on March 12th. that to-day's game may well be an important pointer to the Welsh Selectors in their task. There will be many potential 'caps' on view, as well as many established Internationals, and certainly the greatest interest has been aroused by to-day’s meeting."
"Newport have selected at full strength with the exception of English International Jack Hancock, who is again engaged in Army Football this week-end. At the time of going to press, however, there are fitness doubts about several Newport players, the most uncertain being Ken Jones and Garfield Owen. Similarly. Cardiff have doubts about their captain, Sid Judd, while having selected three centres, one International will have to drop out of the side."
"Newport have not been beaten since November 13th - at Cardiff Arms Park. To-day, we can anticipate a stirring contest, desperately close, perhaps, but not devoid of good football, and certainly a game played in the exemplary spirit of Cardiff and Newport meetings."
"PRESENT SEASON PLAYERS"
"★ KEN JONES ★"
"Kenneth Jeffry Jones was born at Blaenavon on December 30th, 1921."
"He started his competitive running at school, and after passing on to West Mon. Grammar School he became Victor Ludorum, and played rugby for the Welsh Secondary Schools. Ken then went on to St. Paul’s College, Cheltenham, and continued his sporting successes."
"Whilst in the R.A.F. he was stationed in India and again he was ever in the fore with his sprinting and rugby."
"He has been 100 yards and 220 yards Welsh Champion on seven occasions for each distance, besides distinguishing himself in the long-jump and hop-step- and-jump."
"In 1948 he won the English Southern Counties Championship in 9.9 sees.: McCorquadale was 2nd and McDonald Bailey 3-d. The same year he ran in the Olympic Games and was a member of the British Relay 4 x 100 metres, against America, Italy, Hungary. Canada and Holland in the finals. The British team were awarded gold medals after the disqualification of the US.A. Later, the race was reviewed and the gold medal had to be exchanged for a silver one - nevertheless, it was a memorable moment to stand on the rostrum with the playing of the National Anthem for victory."
"Last year, he ran for Wales at Vancouver in the British Empire Games, and he had the honour to captain the British Team in the European Games later in the year."
"In the first post-war full rugby International Ken was 'capped' against England, and since then has made the right-wing position his own. In April last, he captained Wales on the occasion of equalling R. M. Owen’s 35 appearances for Wales. W. J. Bancroft had previously held, for fifty years, the record for consecutive appearances - 34 times. Ken has scored 17 tries in International matches - he has one to get to equal W. Llewellyn’s record."
"In 1950 he toured Australia with the British Lions, and he has a chance to equal the record of his namesake. J. P. Jones, of Pontypool. who toured in 1908 and 1910, should he be included in the party to tour South Africa at the close of this season. He captained the Newport XV for two seasons, and he is a member of the ‘Baa-Baas.’ "
"Ken is a master at Newport High School."
"He has been quoted by high sporting authority to have the "precision and slenderness of a greyhound." and there is no doubt this applies to the both sports he adorns so unassumingly. Although highly steeped in sport, Ken is not biased; he lives and enjoys life, doing everything in moderation."
"SUPPORTERS’ CLUB NOTES"
"The Supporters’ Club have again bought Town Caps for schoolboys who have qualified with the conditions of playing in a certain number of games. This year, the distribution will take place at the various schools, where there will be more scope for letting the public know of one of the annual undertakings of the Supporters’ Club."
"If there are enough members interested in a coach trip to Gloucester on March 26th we shall run one, so will those so desiring please hand their names to Mr. L. Powell, Mr. L King, at the Social Centre after to-day’s game, or any Committee member."