"CLUB NOTES"
"Welcome to the 1st XVs opening home game of the season, is it really four months since April and the last home match against Abertillery? Quite a lot has happened in rugby terms in that short period. The players had a successful tour of the U.S.A. (Florida). Mike Rafter had a particularly successful tour with England in the Argentine. Austin Sheppard got married. Mike Caven thought about American football; and (Stop Press) Alan Morley has another hamstring problem!"
"Today then we continue the traditional September initiation test by welcoming The Newport Club, its Committee and Supporters. There is never any question of Bristol easing into the season gently; with a September fixture list of Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Gloucester! Last season Bristol completed a coveted double over Newport winning 20-10 at Newport in September and 22-16 at the Memorial Ground in December. The overall records of the Club last season were:-"
"Newport P44 W17 D4 L23 F641 A594"
"Bristol P50 W30 D2 L18 F859 A511"
"Early indications of form this season were Newport's defeat by Coventry 21-10 last Saturday whilst Bristol won 18-16 at Northampton in spite of missing all their kicks but one! At the time of going to press the Cardiff result is not available, but it is worth remembering that whilst Bristol beat Cardiff last September, Cardiff improved to lay claim to being the best Welsh Club side by the end of the season, beating Bristol at the Arms Park and winning the Welsh Cup. On the same night Newport play Bath so the results of both those matches, together with todays game, should provide a very interesting pointer to early season form."
"The Bristol Club would like to thank JAMES NUTT LTD. for supporting today's game and for donating a bottle of Brandy to the lucky programme winner."