From the match programme:-
"CLUB NOTES"
"The news that our home game versus Bridgend on Saturday 7th January, 1978, is to be filmed by the cameras of B.B.C. Wales television, for showing the following day, has been greeted with a great deal of trepidation by everyone at Rodney Parade. Our appearances on T.V. this season have in no way enhanced the team or clubs reputation. Remember, The Gnoll, the Reddings and last week the Talbot Athletic ground. The only salvation has been our one T.V. appearance from Rodney Parade, against Cardiff. Viewers were treated to a display of top class rugby with a result to savour, let's hope we will get the same on the 7th. To ensure the best possible coverage of the game, the Newport Football Committee have agreed with B.B.C. Wales Television, to bring the kick-off forward to 2.45 p.m. Please make a note of this change in the new diaries you will be receiving next week-end."
"South Africa, America, Italy and now Canada. This is the proud record of Newport Rugby Club as overseas tourists. The forthcoming tour to British Columbia promises to be a great opportunity for the players to experience rugby in another part of the world. The tour party will leave for Vancouver on the 8th May and return on the 24th May, playing either 4 or 5 games in Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Okanagan Valley areas. Knowing that arch rivals Cardiff lost one of their games during their Centenary Tour, in this area last season, the Black and Ambers will be flat out to return with an unbeaten record."
"Newport Football Committee certainly gained many friends by their generous action in inviting Rhiwbina to train under the Rodney Parade floodlights, prior to last Saturdays Schweppes W.R.U. Cup game. The co-operation between both clubs was first class and showed that it is possible for all clubs in the tournament to iron out difficulties regarding kick-off times etc. amicably."
"As we are now moving into the 'Festive Season' the Chairman, Captain, Committee and Players of Newport Rugby Football Club would like to take this opportunity of wishing ALL Members and Supporters A Very Happy Christmas."
"We hope you enjoy the 'festivities' but will be present in force at Rodney Parade for the Boxing Day visit of the Cardiff College of Education Team, including Chris Webber."
"Last Saturday saw the return to first team rugby of one of the most popular players ever to play for Newport, Geoff Evans. This fine player has had a long uphill battle against a knee injury, but with a determination he always shows as a player he looks like being back in business. Let's Hope So, everyone at Rodney Parade Wishes You Well in 1978, Geoff."
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS"
"WELCOME TO RODNEY PARADE"
"Formed in 1873. Gloucester first appeared on the Newport fixture list in 1878. Since that date the clubs have met on 165 occasions, with Newport winning 109, Gloucester 41 and 15 being drawn. The 'Cherry and Whites' have only achieved 4 victories at Rodney Parade, 1956-57, 1962-63, 1970-71 and 1971-72. On each of these occasions they completed 'the double' to emulate the only two other Gloucester teams who achieved this feat in 1881-82 and 1932-33."
"Having won this seasons earlier encounter at Kingsholme by 16 pts to 6 pts, this evenings visitors are well aware that they have a rare opportunity of placing their names in the record books. Victories are very hard to achieve at Rodney Parade, especially by clubs from the other side of 'the Bridge' so the 'Cherry and Whites' will be receiving no early Christmas present from the 'Black and Ambers'."
"During their illustrious history, Gloucester have made a great contribution to English rugby both on and off the field. It is hoped that their most capped player, the legendary Tom Voyce, will be present tonight and we extend to him a special warm welcome. He must be delighted with the form of the club this season and also their representation in the Gloucestershire county side and the England regional trials."
"Full back Peter Butler, is still proving a prolific points scorer and could still force himself into the England team for this seasons Internationals. Wing three-quarter Richard Mogg, prop Mike Burton and lock Stuart Boyle, are all making determined efforts to wear the England jersey this season. Burton is already on the capped list, but if Mogg or Boyle make the England team, they will add their names to the long list of 'Cherry Whites' who have already achieved this honour."
"Coach Mike Nicholas will be hoping that the side can repeat the performance of the 1971-72 team, when he was captain. They became the first winners of the Rugby Unions Challenge Cup. He also captained the club in their 'Centenary Season' when they achieved a record of Played 53 Won 39 Drawn 4 Lost 10 For 1077 Against 663 so can be relied upon to produce a brand of rugby in the true Gloucester mould. Such is his appetite for the game he has even turned out this season. But with the players mentioned earlier, together with Bob Clewes, Richard Jardine, Chris Williams, Peter Kingston, Alan Brinn, John Fidler, Eddie Pinkney and John Watkins he is confident that the standard of rugby played will continue to be of the highest order."
"Welcome Gloucester, your visits to Rodney Parade have always produced hard exciting rugby. Long may they continue. Please accept our thanks for agreeing to visiting us tonight instead of on Christmas Eve and also our Best Wishes for the Festive Season."
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Match report from The Times of 22nd December 1977:-
"Exhilarating tries make the scoreline realistic"
"Peter Walker"
"Newport 17 Gloucester 9"
"Old traditions and respect hard earned down the years ensured that the ball never moved beyond the respective outside halves in the first 20 minutes. But when it eventually did, as it had to with Newport's pack establishing a powerful superiority in the scrummages and lineouts, there was never any doubt about the eventual result."
"The most marked difference was in the performance of the two scrum halves. Whereas Kingston of Gloucester spent most of the game cleaning up and scooping short, pressure passes to his half-back partner Pointon, the enormous strength and length of pass from the British Lion, Brynmor Williams, reached James still rising 20 metres distant."
"Williams's virtuoso pass in unsuitable handling conditions was even more remarkable considering that he had spent the previous 24 ours travelling back from leading a school skiing trip to Italy and arrived in Newport only six hours before the kick off."
"The Continental exercise did him a great deal of good for he was sharp, quick on his feet and alert to all the attacking options. During the opening period Webber, a full back, kicked a penalty from the 10-metre line after Rooney had been caught offside in the middle of the field before the end of a lineout."
"Then suddenly two dazzling breaks from Newport's talented but infuriatingly inconsistent outside half James, transformed the whole scenario. Although neither led to tries, they helped to convince Newport and more significantly their opponents of the inevitability of what was to follow. Towards the end of the first half a powerful shove by the Newport No. 8 enabled Squire to collect at the base of a scrum 10 metres from the Gloucester line and serve Williams at his elbow on the blind side. He was stopped on the line but Barrell, a wing forward popped up in the right place to cross in the corner for an unconverted try."
"Despite being mastered in almost every phase, particularly in the lineouts where Mogridge and Waters won endless ball, Gloucester held Newport to 7 – 0 until 22 minutes into the second half. However within the space of three minutes two exhilarating tries put a more realistic face on the scoreboard."
"Swift three-quarter passing between Burcher and Evans provided the space for Webber to join the line and his was the final pass to Cranton who dived over in the corner. Webber appropriately scored the extra points. Almost immediately Burcher again set up a scoring position by driving deep into the Gloucester 22 before leaving Evans to go across in the corner. It was no more than Newport deserved."
"NEWPORT: C. Webber; K. Davies, D. I. Burcher, G. Evans, J. Cranton; K. James, B. Williams; J. Squire, T. Mogridge, D. Waters, R. Barrell, K. Poole, C. Smart, D. Ford, R. Morgan."
"GLOUCESTER: P. Butler; B. Clewes, E. Rooney, B. Vine, R. Mogg, D. Pointon, P. Kingston; J. Herniman, J. Jarrett, A. Brinn, J. Watkins, V. Woolley, K. Richardson, S. Mills, M. Burton."
"Referee: A. Richards (Caldicot)."