From the match programme:-
"club notes"
"WE ARE most pleased to welcome NEWPORT to Old Deer Park this morning. Last Saturday the 'Black and Ambers', who won the WRU Cup in 1976-77 and were beaten finalists last season, took the first step towards what they hope will be a hat-trick of final appearances when they beat Newport H.S.O.B. 22-0 in this season's first round; they meet Abercarn at Rodney Parade in the second round."
"Our visitors' overall record this season is P18, W10, D1, L7, points for 222, against 181. Leading points scorer is Wales 'B' Cap David Barry with 84 (1T, 19PG, 10C, 1DG), while wing John Churchill leads the try scorers with 7, having scored 3 last Saturday. Former Welsh Youth International flanker Geoff Evans is this season's Captain, having had this honour on three previous occasions. His Vice-Captain British Lion and Welsh International Gareth Evans has unfortunately been out of action for two months with a broken wrist, but hopes to return to action next week. As we go to press we learn that today's half-back combination of David Barry and Brynmor Williams has been selected to play for Gwent against the All Blacks at Rodney Parade on Wednesday next; also in the side is centre David Burcher. Ken Davies and Richard Barrell are replacements. Still going strong at lock is Barbarian and County player Jeff Watkins, who joined Newport in 1967 and has made over 330 first team appearances."
"Another cliff-hanger at the Memorial Ground last Saturday when in the closing minutes Bristol full-back Phil Cue, who had kicked three fine penalties, tried one from about 65 yards (or should we say 60 metres) in an attempt to win the game. Fortunately for us the kick fell short and our 10-9 win kept us at the top of the 'Sunday Telegraph' (England) Table. Meanwhile up at the 'Reddings' a late Moseley conversion robbed Rosslyn Park of even a draw; had we lost and had the Park managed a point, they would have taken over the leadership - it was all that close!"
"Support in the staging of the Bristol game was given by Alcan Windows Ltd., with which company an Old Deer Park favourite Freddie Williams is associated. The firm presented a trophy for competition between Bristol and London Welsh which is now reposing in our Clubhouse."
"Sadly, Keith Hughes is due to play his last game for the Club today before leaving for Wales to join a medical practice in the new Health Centre at Ystradgynlais. Keith, who joined London Welsh in season 1970-71 is today making his 198th First XV appearance. Having been in the Wales 'B' side he was first Capped for Wales in 1970 against Ireland when playing for Cambridge University and New Dock Stars, and has gained two further Caps while with the Welsh - against Australia in 1973 and Scotland in 1974. Keith's other Rugby Football honours are too numerous to mention in detail, but one of which he will have been particularly proud is the captaincy of Surrey in this their Centenary year. We were pleased to include a photograph of Keith in this role in our programme for the Met. Police game, copies of which are still available for those who would like to have them."
"We thank Keith for all that he has done for the Club over the past eight years and wish him and his wife, Bethan, who we are most pleased to see here today, all the very best of luck in the future. We are also delighted to welcome to Old Deer Park Bethan's parents, WRU President D. Luther James and his wife Menna."
"Latest in the list of players who have made their First XV debut this season is Mike Gosling who played against Moseley and last Saturday came on as a replacement for Rhodri Ellis-Jones who had to leave the field at the interval with hamstring trouble. Mike has played for Bedwas, Bargoed and the National Civil Service side; he is now working for the Department of Health and Social Security in London."
"Today's side shows two changes from that which started the game at Bristol, Gareth Lewis coming in for Ken Hopkins at full-back and Howard Evans for Neil Bennett at outside-half."