"WELCOME TO THE PARADE"
"THIS EVENING we are delighted to extend a very warm Rodney Parade welcome to our near neighbours from the Western Valley of Gwent, Newbridge, for a game postponed earlier in the season by torrential rain. Newbridge have had a fine season under their captain Paul Evans, and are currently lying in third position in both the Western Mail Club Championship and the Whitbread Merit Table. Their big disappointment was in not reaching the Schweppes W.R.U. Challenge Cup Final, following their defeat in the semi-final played at Cardiff Arms Park to Swansea. This is the second year for Newbridge to reach this stage of the competition and they will be hoping that next season sees them make the final."
"Paul Evans, who commenced his first class playing career here at Rodney Parade before arriving at the Welfare Ground via Arms Park and Tredegar Rec., has a very talented Squad under his control and in close harmony with Coaches Keith Westwood and Eric Phillips, another player who wore the Black and Amber jersey, they have produced a team who are capable of playing rugby of the highest quality. Behind the scrum the spearhead of the attack is outside half Paul Turner, one of the most prodigious point scorers in British Rugby during recent seasons whose haul for this season is over 300 pts, although he missed the opening six weeks with injury. He is well served by another ex-Rodney Parade player Lloyd Davies, while Brendan MacAlone, Ian Goslin, Chris Phillips, Dai Owen, Jeff Harris, Mark Oliver and Mark Hewer are a potent strike force. Up front 'The Bridge' have a formidable array of talent with such players as Brandon Cripps, Gary Hewlett, Les Simms, Mike Dowling, Jim Stokes, Robert Beale, Terry Shaw, Clive Davies, Mark Whitson, Barry Peebles and Alan Morgan to choose from. Two forwards who moved to the Welfare Ground from Rodney Parade this sason - Paul Ransom and Stuart Griffiths - have created a great impression and look to serve their new club with distinction for many years."
"Last season both Clubs won their 'Home' game, the scores being 16-14 and 10-3 so, with our visit to the Welfare Ground on Saturday, 23rd April 1983 due to be televised on B.B.C. Wales Sports Line Up, tonight's game will be closely contested. Welcome, Newbridge."
"CLUB NOTES"
"THE Easter Holiday programme here at Rodney Parade certainly proved successful, with fine victories over Moseley and London Welsh, and the Black and Ambers, under Captain Colin Smart, commenced the month of April on the same high note which had seen them win two awards in March - "The Rugby World Award" as the Team of the Month and the Whitbread Merit Table Monthly Award. Well done, boys, let's hope the month of April will bring the same rewards and not just April Showers."
"The team are well on course for setting up some point scoring records before the season ends and if they are fortunate enough to obtain them it will be just reward for all the effort that has taken place at Rodney Parade, both on and off the field this season. As these notes had to be at the printers prior to our visit to Bath last Saturday {not one of our happy hunting grounds during recent seasons) the following may need slight adjustments:-"
"Club Record of Points in a season 971 Season 1975—76"
"Present Points total - 860"
"Most Tries in a season 153 Season 1975-76"
"Present total of Tries - 141
"Most Tries in a season by a Forward 20 John Jeffrey 1969—70"
"Wayne Rendall - 16"
"This evening we are delighted to host the Welsh Marine Cup Final for Newport Schools U12's as a curtain raiser. The two competing schools are St. Julian's and Hartridge and we trust you will give these young players the benefit of your support as you "talent-spot" for the future."