"Cardiff v Newport"
"Well here it is. The first of the season's encounters with Newport. A saga that goes back so far in antiquity that the first recorded account we have of the match states that the game was held up for half a day whilst they removed a wooly rhinoceros from the pitch. Records of those far off days are difficult to find, because a reporter's job was a hazardous profession. If they didn't die an early death from silicosis as a result of chiselling their reports on stone, they fell out of their trees. Even in later centuries they were persecuted. If they attempted to forecast a game they were dipped in ponds on the end of ducking stools, as witches, and many a correspondent who was over-enthusiastic about the opposition spent his weekend in the stocks. Whilst today's reporters may think times haven't changed much, by comparison they have an easy time. They are spoiled and closetted. We provide comfortable boxes for them, equipped with the latest telephonic aids, and in time we will get around to providing free programmes - especially when we have the expensive special editions."
"Whilst on the subject of programmes, I must plead guilty to a charge of bad public relations. To spring a programme costing 7p onto our supporters, and follow it up by one costing 10p, without an explanation, was presumptious arrogance. The explanation is quite simple. Our printers advised us some time ago of the incredible rise in the costs of everything associated with their business. Paper was scarce and expensive, and the cost of type and ink and labour would make it inevitable that we would have to raise the cost of a programme - and I can assure you that the rise to 7p will not meet the increases by the end of the season"
"In addition we decided to brighten the programme and include extra pages of information and put in a colour front and some photographs for special matches. These 'bumper' editions are test copies for our centenary season, and if any of you have any practical suggestions (no we will not make them of absorbent paper) to improve them we would be delighted to have your ideas. Remember - photographs and colour front add to the cost. So do extra pages. For the Coventry match we had a colour front, four extra pages and a photograph, that is why it cost 10p, the equivalent of five fags or half a pint of beer, both of which are bad for you. I'm not saying the programme is good for you - but it makes a useful fan on hot days and it gives you an unshakeable alibi when you get home late after the match."
"Back to Newport. In this their centenary season we all wish them a season that is in keeping with their glorious heritage. From this game on we hope they will beat everybody in sight - except us. I am sure that Geoff Evans would love to be the first Newport skipper to beat us four times, but I am sorry that even in their Centenary Season, even allowing for my generous nature, I can't wish them that. Mervyn John would be an unusual Cardiff skipper if he didn't want to get four Newport scalps under his belt. As for myself I am extremely dubious that either side will ever do it again."
"Last year we won three of the games, and lost one. We won away 16 pts. - 6 pts., and at home 38 pts. - 14 pts. and 12 pts. - 4 pts. We lost at Rodney Parade 3 pts. - 6 pts. In all we have played Newport 324 times, winning 147 games and losing 119."
"All the best to Newport in their hundredth year. I'm at the stage in life where I tell lies about my age, and it's nice to know that we are younger than our greatest rivals."
"CROESO CASNEWYDD."
"D. J. H."