From the match programme:-
"NOTES"
"Cambridge University have their first taste of rugby under floodlights when they meet Newport at Rodney Parade this evening. This is the first match of an experimental series with the "Light Blues" playing at Newport under floodlights in one season and the following year meeting at Cambridge on a Saturday."
"This many well be a noteworthy game tonight. Cambridge, already labelled favourites for the Varsity game less than a month ahead, and sustaining their first defeat of the season at Leicester last Saturday, will be meeting surely a determined Newport side who must be "smarting" under a series of home defeats."
"On their last appearance at Newport in November, 1959, Newport won by a solitary try (scored, incidentally, by Glyn Davidge) to nil, but on their last two visits to Cambridge the "Light Blues" have been successful, winning 22 pts. to 8 pts. in 1960 and 14 pts. to 11 pts. last season. During the pre-varsity match period last season, when Cambridge went to Twickenham unbeaten, their closest contests were at Coventry where they won by 3 pts. to nil, and also the 3 point margin which gave them victory over Newport. They went on to beat Oxford University by 9 pts. to 3 pts. and in that fine Cambridge side (they are rarely less than a splendid side in any season they included M. R. Wade, who was later capped 3 times for England; outside half was G. H. Waddell (British Lion) and holder of 18 Scottish caps, at inside half was T. C. Wintle (Lydney Grammar School) and in the forwards, this year's captain R. C. B. Michaelson, a Welsh Trialist who must surely be capped by Wales this season, B. E. Thomas (Neath Grammar School) and J. C. Brash (Scotland)."
"There are some inevitable changes in the Newport side this evening. Barrie Edwards is not available and at full-back Crosskeys' Brian Anthony will 'guest' in this position. The only other change behind the scrum will be Clive Lewis for Peter Rees, the latter having suffered slight concussion following the Cardiff game. There may be several changes in the pack. In the absence of Bryn Meredith, young David Jones comes into the front row which will also see the return of Des. Greenslade. A powerful, well built youngster, G. Brice gets his first chance for the senior side in the second row, while the back-row of the scrummage is undecided at the time of writing, with a possibility of the return of Alun Thomas as open side wing forward."
"During this present season, in addition to Bryn Meredith's (almost) Lion's XV, Bristol, Gloucester and Cardiff (have all given great displays of attacking rugby at Rodney Parade. Cambridge University are hardly likely to disappoint in this respect this evening and how very much supporters would welcome a matching attacking spirit by the Newport team."
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"From The Times of 15th November 1962:-"
"NEWPORT SHOCK CAMBRIDGE"
"Newport 23pts., Cambridge University 3"
"Even the most optimistic supporter of Newport could never have predicted such a result as this. On paper, and on Newport's recent form, it seemed that Cambridge were bound to win. But after the University had shown some enterprise, even though it was chiefly through winning ground by kicks, they faded almost completely out of the picture in the face of a Newport team who had not shown such form for weeks. They had their opponents bewildered by the speed of many of their movements, individually and collectively."
"There was little in the Cambridge play behind or in front to inspire confidence. Newport, on the other hand, threw the ball about and their half backs, Prosser and Watkins, kept the backs busy with a plentiful supply of ball. Cambridge were so uncertain, even when they tried passing, that they often lost ground, because of the close Newport marking, and this marking, coupled with hard tackling, meant that Newport were able to keep the game going all the time. Cambridge last won in Newport in 1933 and last night they never looked like bringing off another success."
"In the early stages Clarke and Briggs at half back did a lot of useful kicking which won positions from which scores might have emanated but never did. Cambridge were unable fully to develop passing attacks but in the tenth minute Newport gave them the idea of what should be done. Watkins, who in the ultimate proved to be one of the heroes of the game, made a perfect break with an elusive run. Near the line Newport's captain and centre, B. Jones, gave just one dummy and was over the line in a flash for an unconverted try. Before half time right wing B. Thomas and left wing C. Lewis scored tries for Newport, one of which B. Anthony playing at full back for Newport for the first time, converted so that Newport had scored 11points in 15 minutes."
"Briggs kicked a penalty for Cambridge but Jones scored his second try for Newport. In the second half Newport were rather more restrained but they scored further tries through Watkins, Uzzell, and C. Lewis."
"NEWPORT. - B. Anthony; R. Thomas, J. Uzzell, B. J. Jones, C. Lewis; D. Watkins, W. R. Prosser; D. Greenslade, G. Bevan, I. Brice, B. Price, B. Cresswell, J. Anderson, A. Thomas, A. Jones."
"CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.- R. H. Palin; W. M. Bussey, D. W. Rosser, T. C. Arthur, S. A. Martin; P. D. Briggs, W. J. S. Clarke; W. A. M. Crowe, C. F. Higham, N. J. Drake-Lee, R. E. Thomas, C. M. Wiggins, A. M. Pate, R. C. Michaelson, J. R. Greenwood."
"REFEREE. - M. Joseph (Bridgend)."