From the match programme:-
"TODAY'S TEAMS AND NOTES - by W. A. D. Lawrie"
"This evening we extend a very warm welcome to NEWPORT, current holders of the Schweppes W.R.U. Challenge Cup."
"At the moment they are in seventh position in the Western Mail Welsh Club Table (runners-up last season), having played 26 games, won 18 and lost 8, a percentage of 69.23."
"The team is captained by Wales and British Lions centre DAVID BURCHER, and the two other Lions in the side behind the scrum are co-centre GARETH EVANS and scrum-half BRYNMOR WILLIAMS, who recently joined the Black and Ambers to play regularly in the top flight. Indeed he has made a dramatic impact on the Rodney Parade scene, and has not been on a losing side since he joined the Club."
"The fourth current Club Lion, No. 8 JEFF SQUIRE, was on duty for Wales against England at Twickenham on Saturday last."
"Full back CHRIS WEBBER is no stranger to the Brewery Field, and on his recent visit here with Cardiff College of Education very nearly sunk us with his siege-gun kicking. Right wing KEITH JEFFERSON, the recent arrival from Cross Keys, scored the two tries which, on the 7th January last, put paid to our hopes of a rare Rodney Parade victory. However, if tonight's game produces similar hard, clean and exciting rugby as that on the 7th January, no one will have cause for complaint."
"Outside-half KEITH JAMES will be pleased to get back into action after an injury lay-off. This much travelled, and often under rated but highly efficient player seems to have settled in well again at Newport, and could still be a very strong contender for representative honours in the near future."
"The pack has a powerful look about it, and it is good to see that wonderful servant of the club, GEOFF EVANS, right back to the form which has gained him a permanent place in the side for probably longer than he would care to remember. Props COLIN SMART and RHYS MORGAN, with hooker DAVID FORD are the foundation from which Newport expect to gain a lot of ball, and for Bridgend to be in with a chance they must strive to obtain some parity up front."
"Of the 24 games between the clubs since 1966/67, Bridgend have won 8, lost 12 and drawn 4. Although there has only been one victory at Newport in this period (12-11 in 1969/70), the Brewery Field record is much better, with 7 wins, 3 defeats and 1 draw (3-3) from 11 games, the defeat margins being 3-9, 15-17 and 15-24."
"So after a disappointing start to the season when nothing seemed to go right for them, Newport are now on the crest of a wave. Their only defeat in their last 12 games was at Aberavon by 17 points to 4 on the 10th December, last. So against a full strength Newport side, it will need a special effort by Meredydd James and his boys to pull off a very prestigious victory tonight. Our best efforts are usually reserved for the strongest opposition, and tonight's is no exception."
"For BRIDGEND, J. P. R. WILLIAMS and STEVE FENWICK return after international duty at Twickenham, and, we hope, with a good result under their belts to encourage them."
"Elsewhere, it is a practically full-strength line-up. VIV JENKINS (14); ALAN ROSE (13) and GARETH WILLIAMS (12) are the leading try scorers to date this season, while J. P. R. would very much like to add to the 7 he has already collected."
"IAN STEPHENS passed a fitness test to combine with GEOFF DAVIES and skipper MEREDYDD JAMES to form one of the best front rows in Wales today. Centre MARTIN THOMAS improves with every game, and IAN LEWIS (81 points from 12 games to date) returns to resume his successful partnership with GERALD WILLIAMS."