From the match programme:-

"NOTES"

"Although the Wasps are not one of London’s "fashionable" rugby clubs, they are probably the most efficiently run, and their efforts with regard to the pro­motion of the game among youngsters is quite unrivalled by any other London Club. And they are one of Newport’s most popular opponents. Although they first met 35 years ago, Wasps did not win a permanent place on Newport’s fixture list until after the last war. Now they are permanent opponents, and everyone now knows that a special trophy is at stake at each match. This is a special miniature wasp, handsomely mounted, which Wasps had specially made in 1950, following a dispute over a flag. This all came about when, in 1949, Wasps won for the first time at Rodney Parade, and, as a trophy, confiscated a new Newport flag. Newport duly won the flag back in the following season, and then Wasps had their miniature trophy made. Since then Newport have held it many more times than Wasps, and they do so now. Three times in the last eight years Newport have had the honour of being the first team to beat the Wasps. The record for all the games at present stands: Played 37, Won 30, Lost 6, Drawn 1. Newport have scored 506 points against 182."

"Many famous players have worn the Wasps jerseys. We remember with special affection Pat Sykes, their clever inside half, those great forwards R. E. Syrett and Peter Yarranton and (almost incredibly still with them), Ted Wood­ward, George Bendon and A. C. B. Hurst, all distinguished English “ Caps.” Woodward was a first choice England three-quarter from 1952 to 1956, but he still has an unquenched appetite for rugby and now plays in the back row of the pack. Hurst is their latest international. He played for England in the Calcutta Cup match last year." 

"So far Wasps have won five matches and lost three this season, scoring 95 points against 73. They are just the type of team to give Newport a thorough test before next Wednesday’s great match with New Zealand."

As they built up to what was to become Newport's finest game in their history they played the Wasps at Rodney Parade on the preceding Saturday. The Sunday Times reported the game as follows:-

"Wasps find Newport pace too hot in the end"

"Newport ..... 11pts.    Wasps ..... 0"

"Wasps proved ideal opponents for Newport in the Welsh club's last try-out before next Wednesday's match with the New Zealanders. Although in the end they yielded by a goal, a penalty goal and a try to nothing, their rugged forwards, among whom England's old wing three-quarter Woodward was an outstanding figure, put up a rare challenge."

"Newport kept up a hot pace in front and it proved too much for the Wasps pack who were a tired lot before the end."

"Newport's wing forward Alan Thomas made a notable contribution to his side's success. His tackling was first-class and his running with the ball an example to his centres. Brian Price, the Newport captain, kept his forwards together admirably and other notable figures in the pack were Ford and Cresswell."

"Wasps had an enterprising outside-half in Mettler but he, too, lacked adequate support and some attractive running was thus left unrewarded."

"It took Newport half an hour to achieve their first score and this followed a lucky bounce which after a kick-on by David Watkins carried the ball out of the reach of Wasps full-back Hawkins and straight into the hands of Newport centre Brian Jones. He was stopped, but Cresswell carried on the move to score."

"Early in the second half Alan Thomas scored a neat try after a perfectly-judged run and Cheney converted. Cheney completed the scoring with a late penalty goal."

"Newport: R. Cheney; S. Watkins, E. Mogford, B. J. Jones, D. Perrott; D. Watkins, W. R. Prosser,; N. Johnson, G. Bevan, D. Jones, B.V. Price (capt.), I. Ford, A. Thomas, G. Davidge, B. Cresswell."

"Wasps: F. E. J. Hawkins; B. H. G. Wright, H. Keith, R. Tapper, A. B. Hurst; P. E. Mettler, J. Norris; G. J. Bendon, W. Treadwell, R. Bertram, M. J. Cutter (capt.), E. Smith, D. Wills, J. E. Woodward, B. Spiers,"

"Referee: Mr. R. McCoy (Cardiff)."