"WELCOME TO THE PARADE"
"THIS AFTERNOON our visitors from the Athletic Ground Richmond will be anxious to wipe out the memory of their last visit to Rodney Parade, the 24th March 1984, when the Black and Ambers, led by Michael J. Watkins, were victors by 5lpts to 6pts, a record score from 29 encounters between our respective Clubs. The first game took place at Richmond on 10th November 1888, when the Black and Ambers, led by Theo Harding, won a hard-fought encounter by 1 goal to nil. Our visitors have only won five of the 29 encounters and of those only one has been achieved here at Rodney Parade — that was on 6th March 1926, when Newport, led by Harold J. Davies, were defeated by 16pts to 9pts."
"A complete record of games between our two Clubs show that up to the Second World War 15 games took place with Newport winning 11 and Richmond 4. Since 1947 the record reads... played 14, Newport winning 11, 2 games drawn and Richmond achieving their sole victory at the Athletic Ground on 26th January 1957, when the Black and Ambers, led by Malcolm C. Thomas, were defeated by 5pts to 3pts."
"This season, under the captaincy of full back Andy Hampel, a former Cambridge Blue, Richmond have shown an appetite for moving the ball to capitalise on the work of their mobile pack, which included a highly promising back row. No.8 Charles Vyvyan, son of former centre Tony, will be visiting Wales again in two weeks when he plays for the England Students versus their Welsh counterparts at the National Stadium. The captain and his pack rely heavily on their England 'B' International outside half Simon Smith, not only to direct operations but also to accumulate points with his accurate goal kicking. Coach Derek Wyatt, who took over from another ex-England international in the person of Dave Rollitt, is hoping that last Saturday's reverse versus Moseley will not destroy morale in the team for the remainder of the season and, in particular, in the remaining John Smith's Merit Table games, for with the Club currently being in 2nd place in Merit Table 'B' he, like everyone else at the Club, is hoping for promotion to Merit Table 'A' in view of the new League structure being introduced by the Rugby Football Union next season."
"Richmond have produced numerous internationals in the past, including B.M. Gray, Tony Bucknall, Chris Ralston (the Club's most capped player with 22), and not forgetting the current Barbarian Secretary, Geoffrey Windsor-Lewis who played for Wales while a member of the Club. Formed in 1861, their contribution to rugby football has been enormous and we are confident that this afternoon they will display fast attacking rugby to delight all those present."
"Welcome, Richmond."
"The Chairman, Committee and Players would like to thank all those members and supporters who gave so generously to the John Bevan Memorial Fund collection before and during the Llanelli game. The total amount collected, £331, will be passed to the Welsh Rugby Union for inclusion in the overall total."
"Congratulations to Paul Turner on his selection for the Barbarians for their show-piece game versus the touring N.Z. Barbarians at Cardiff next Wednesday evening. Let's hope he has kept clear of injury in Hong Kong as this will be the perfect setting for him to display all his talents in front of what promises to be a large crowd. No doubt he will receive considerable vocal support from Black and Amber supporters present as he forms a highly exciting half back combination with Dave Loveridge."
"Football Secretary Doug Ackerman must be congratulated on his re-election as a member of the Sports Council, while another ex-Newport player in the person of Tom Baxter-Wright has been elected for the first time. Both men will have a great deal to offer under the Chairmanship of another 'Man of Gwent' - John Powell."
"While the image of Welsh rugby was receiving a major setback at Murrayfield last Saturday, the Black and Ambers completed a very successful mini tour in Devon, and their victories over Brixham and Torquay ensure that they are now only 13pts short of the Club record of 1110, and 21 tries short of the record of 186. Maybe the sun will shine today and the one record get broken and a major indent made into the other... this will compensate in a small way for our exclusion from this afternoon's cup semi-finais!!!"