From the match programme:-
"Today's Visitors"
"Newport R.F.C. was formed in 1874 and are unique in that the Club enjoys full membership of the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union. They play their home matches at Rodney Parade where their black and amber colours are very difficult to lower. Their most capped player is Ken Jones, the wing three quarter, who represented Wales no fewer than forty four times. Last season, under the captaincy of Ritchie Morgan, they had a disappointing season playing 51 matches, winning 18, losing 32 and drawing 1. Points for 895, Against 907. Their top points scorer was J. Callard with 215 points which contained 24 tries.
"Old Stager Reminiscences"
"In the match programme of the 1931 Bristol versus Newport game, which ended in a nil all draw, Old Stager reminisced on the close relationship between the two clubs:"
"Newport, like the Cardiff Club, has always extended a helping hand to the Bristol Club. One of my earliest recollections in this respect was when Bristol played Swinton on our present ground, then known as Buffalo Bill's Field. Then several Newport players, who were playing for the famous Usksiders under Tommy Graham, played for Bristol. They were Groves, Pook, Day and Wallace Watts. Another occasion on the County Ground we were assisted by Bert Gould, Tommy England, Wallace Watts and AW. Boucher. This was when we met a strong Devon Nomads side, chiefly Devon County players. How us old 'uns remember when Arthur Gould - the prince of Welsh three-quarter backs - brought the famous Newport team to Bristol for an evening game, just to give us a "leg up" and show us how Rugby should be played? What a combination they were! The team, as far as my memory serves, was: T. England, back: F.H. Dauncey, Bert Gould, AJ. Gould and T.W. Pearson, three-quarter backs: Philiips and Parfit, half-backs: with Graham, Boucher, Pook, Day, Groves, Hanham, Bowley and Wallace Watts, forwards. Their play was a revelation to the Bristol crowd, the combination being all too good for our boys. The play of the Brothers Gould was great. Arthur gave some sparkling runs, and the way he swerved and side-stepped was wonderful. We rarely see such wonderful players today - more's the pity. That famous Newport team gained its high position entirely by training and studying every phase of the game. The plan of campaign was prepared before the match to be played. The manner the forwards scrummed, wheeled, and got position of the ball would be an object lesson to many of our big teams today."
"The Bristol Club in the past received great help from Welsh players. A few come to my mind - Charlie Arthur, G.B. Smithson, Driscoll, Savage, J Corsie, Holbrook (who afterwards went to Oldham), Gus Parkhouse, and others. These players helped to bring the Bristol Club to the fore, and now we are near the top we must not forget those who helped us to get there"
"Club Notes"
"A number of seasons ago we entertained a senior member of the New Zealand Rugby Union who was intrigued by the opening week of the Bristol fixture card which for years read Newport, Cardiff, Swansea. Our visitor from the Southern Hemisphere informed us that we were mad - that's a rough translation - and that sequence of fixtures had been offered to the All Blacks who had turned it down flat. Sane or otherwise we continued to play the three senior Welsh Clubs in a week as we cherished our long association with them. It needed something radical to break the pattern and this season the introduction of The Courage Clubs Championships, with fixed Saturdays, has interrupted the usual scheme of things. Never the less, we are delighted to welcome Newport to the Memorial Ground even though the first meeting between our two Clubs is in December rather than the customary September."
"Today, and for the next two Saturdays, the Divisional Championship matches are being played. Jonathan Webb, Ralph Knibbs, Simon Hogg, Richard Harding and Paul Collings have all been included in the South West squad so it is extremely unlikely we will see them in the Club's colours until the Llanelli match at Stradey Park on Christmas Eve. However, the United have been playing some fine Rugby so the players selected for today's game will certainly give a good account of themselves. Last Saturday's United match with Neath Athletic was a grand match. Spectators were treated to a scene of all our yesterday's as Peter Polledri scrum half, sent a left handed spin pass to David Sorrell who launched the spritely Alan Morley on a surging run. Alas the movement started just outside their own twenty two so Alan, sixty yards to go and without support, decided 479 tries was enough for one man, put in a delicate kick ahead. Unfortunately, Alan was unable to follow up. Alan said he was tripped. Malcolm Baker said he fell down on purpose. Its extremely unlikely that any other holder of the M.B.E. has suffered such abuse from his friends."
"David, (Colin) Croft is doing a grand job with our senior 'elite' squad and colts in the weight training sessions. However, the demand for weights is tremendous with the number of players involved. If any member or supporter is able to give or lend some weights to the Club the offer would be readily accepted. All offers to the Hon. Gen. Sec."
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The following report appeared in the press:-
"Revitalised Newport end Bristol home run"
"By Edward Bevan"
"Bristol 15pts Newport 22"
"NEWPORT'S recent revival continued at the Memorial Ground on Saturday where a rousing display by their forwards enabled them to gain a convincing victory over Bristol, their ninth success in 10 games."
"Bristol, who lost their unbeaten home record, were without five players because of divisional demands, but only Collings was absent from the pack."
"Apart from a 20-minute period at the end of the first half, they were unable to match Newport's determination and support play."
"There was parity at the scrums, and also some amusement for the spectators as Phillips and Morgan, two roly-poly props, enjoyed their confrontation, neither yielding an inch."
"Phillips provided further entertainment when he broke from a maul and, with uncharacteristic versatility, produced two Campese-like sidesteps."
"Waters, Newport's No 8, won the first three line-outs and then did very much as he pleased for the rest of the game. He nullified any advantage Bristol might have gained at their throw-in by alternating at the line-out."
"Nigel Callard, at scrum-half, combined well with his back row and was prominent in setting up Newport's two second-half tries after Bristol had led 9-6 at half-time."
"The visitors took the lead after 10 minutes when Griffiths was given space on the right wing. He broke through two tackles to score a try, Abrahams converting, but unfortunately Sorrell, the Bristol centre, dislocated his elbow as he attempted to stop Griffiths."
"Whitehead replied for Bristol when he timed his run perfectly to score a try in the corner after Crane and Davis had combined at a five-metre scrum. Tainton converted via the crossbar, and also kicked a penalty."
"Newport confirmed their second-half superiority through tries by Scott and Griffiths, Abrahams converted one and kicked two penalties. Near the end of the game Crane charged over for Bristol's second try, Tainton converting."
"Bristol: B Whitehead; J Carr, D Sorretl (P Lander 10), J Watson, K Duggan; M TaintorvJ Davis; C Phillips, D Palmer, J Doubleday, M Skuse, A Blackmore, A Dun (capt), W Hone, G Crane."
"Newport: J Callard; D Griffiths, D Wood, G Abrahams, J Thomas; D Phillips, N Callard; F Hillman, K Gregory, R Morgan, P Booth, A Perry, G George (capt), C Scott, D Waters."
"Referee: D Mathews (Liverpool)."
The local paper also gave a brief account of Bristol United's match away to Newport United: "UNITED WEATHER THE WELSH STORM. BRISTOL United took full advantage of the elements to produce a storming second-half display to beat Newport United 22-10. With a gusting wind in their favour, Newport enjoyed the upper hand during a first half which saw left-wing Guti Davis go over for a try and fly-half Gareth Hardacre score two penalty goals. The home side were denied further scores by some stout Bristol defending. The visitors, depleted by first team calls, fought back after the interval with tries from Peter Polledri (2) Derek Eves and full-back David Essien. Mike Giffen chipped in with two conversions to complete a memorable comeback."