"club notes"
"The visit of NEWPORT (whom we are delighted to see here) every year towards the end of November is one of the greater elements of our season. This year, Newport come with more glamour than usual; for so recently they joined Oxford University in demonstrating that the young men from South Africa are not invincible. Moreover, they were not quite at full strength in their engagement. Today, they come to Old Deer Park with just about the strongest XV that they can field. That will be fine for the paying customers - for us? Well, we shall see. Then, we can add to their laurels the overwhelming win they had when they met the much fancied Cambridge University side."
"Today, they are able to include in their team two Welsh internationals in Peter Rees and John Jeffery, who were not fit enough to play against the Sprinkboks. Last Saturday, Peter Rees scored his 150th try for Newport; and in doing so set up a new Newport record which surpassed all other records in the 94 years of the club's history. We fancy that his tally will not now suddenly stop. It is possible that another record will be set up today. You see, Newport field three characters who have been pretty well known in London Welsh sides. Billy Raybould, at fly-half, partners Gwilym Treharne, at scrum-half, both of whom played many splendid games for the Welsh, although not necessarily in the same partnership. Then there is Len Martin, a strong lock forward, who was in our camp while serving with the Life Guards."
"Last year we beat Newport at Old Deer Park by 31 points to 5. That must be an almost festering sore in Newport's memory. Today they will be anxious to turn the tables, and well they might do so. Whatever happens, we may be reasonably sure that we shall be left in peace to play Rugby and that with a military gentleman in command of the operations we shall enjoy as high a degree of impartiality and sensible interpretation of the laws as we could wish for. "Section 40 for being naughty" will not apply to friend or foe, unless that same section has been lifted in its entirety and transplanted into the laws of Rugby Football. Where we suspect it will suffer a rejection. Major Tyler, we are glad to see you and we hope that you get as much pleasure out of the game as we expect to enjoy ourselves."
* * *
"Newport might have strengthened their side, but we are delighted that seven of our regulars are playing this afternoon for London Counties against the Springboks. For one club to supply as nearly as dammit half a representative side is as high a tribute as could be wished. John Dawes is the captain of London, and he finds himself supported by John Williams, James Shanklin, who plays on the wing although with us he appears in the centre, Dave Bowen, Geoff Evans, Mervyn Davies and Tony Gray. Add the undoubted strength of the other London players and the South Africans face a side almost as strong as any they will encounter. There is a tussle. Its outcome will be awaited in all parts of Rugby circles. But there is one gloomy cloud settled over the scene if what we read is true - there will be no beer at Twickenham. Therefore, we suppose, that an enormous number of thirsty supporters of the game will charge back at the double to Old Deer Park as quickly as their legs can convey them across the river. They will be very welcome."
"After all that waffle we come to the players who fill the absentees' places in our side today. At full-back, without need of introduction, there is Gareth James. In the three-quarters there are Dr. Tom Fletcher and Keith Jones, who is a school-master in Crawley and who has played as fly-half for Sussex. In the forwards we see again that rounded favourite Freddie Williams, who once stirred the Rugby Correspondent of "The Times" to quoting quite appositely Shakespeare, and policeman Gerald Johnson. Gwyn Price, last year's captain of Cardiff College of Education, comes in as replacement for Mervyn Davies and Dave Richards again escapes the responsibility of captaincy of the Druids to complete the pack. The Druids, one must mention, are more than tolerant within the framework of their own fixture list in happily seconding some of their principal players to the First XV when the club's need demands. The side will be captained, in the absence of John Dawes, by John Taylor, whose task today will be by no means a light one."
"Earlier we said that three former London Welshmen play today for Newport. Now we must add that three former Newport players turn out for London Welsh. Bob Phillips, Freddie Williams and Trevor Davies face up to their former colleagues, and we suppose that the final reckoning will be made in the bar at a somewhat late hour."