"MATCH NOTES"

"Today we extend a very warm welcome to the Old Parish to our friends from Newport, on a very special day in the history of Welsh Rugby. The day on which will be played the first games of Heineken League rugby football in Wales. To some followers of the game this is a sad day, for others it is the start of a golden era. However, as the old saying goes; 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating', and so it will be with league rugby. Whatever the outcome one thing is certain, that rugby games at senior club level will be as hard and as fiercly fought as they have been in the past, and after the game, in the clubhouse the friendship and hospitality will be as warm and as generous as before."

"Maesteg first experienced the hospitality of Newport at Rodney Parade in November 1976, on the day that Wales 'B' played France 'B' at Pontypool. However, the fact that Maesteg and Newport had only lost one match each attracted a large crowd, for the first meeting of the only two Welsh clubs that have registered Invincible seasons. The game was fast and open with the result in doubt until the final whistle. Maesteg's centre, Glyn Griffiths, scored a try with Robert Stephens dropping a goal, and Gwyn Evans kicking a penalty. Newport scored tries by Ken Davies and David Rogers, with Leighton Davies kicking a late penalty to win the game eleven points to ten."

"It was another four years before the second meeting between our two clubs. Maesteg's history, 'The Old Parish 100 Not Out', recalls the game."

" 'Maesteg's supporters were delighted when the news broke that their team had been drawn to play against Newport at home in the third round of the W.R.U. Cup, for they had waited many years for Newport to make their first visit to Llynfi Road. Maesteg also welcomed the opportunity to reverse the result of their only previous encounter at Rodney Parade in 1976, and must have fancied their chances, as the Gwent club were having a disastrous season by their own high standard.' - 'After Newport had taken an early lead with a try in the left corner by prop forward Jim Dale, which full-back Leighton Davies converted, Maesteg's forwards started to win possesion and put the visitors defence under pressure. Newports full-back, Davies, was immaculate when fielding the high ball, and continually drove the "Old Parish" attackers back, Newport got a second try by hooker Peter Nowell, after Gwyn Evans had cancelled out their previous score with two well taken penalties, but there the scoring ended for although Maesteg, winning all the posession, mounted waves of attacks from all parts of the field, the Newport defence was nothing short of miraculous. Although battered, their team were determined not to be beaten, and at the final whistle Gareth Evans and his men were jubilant at their success, Maesteg had no complaints whatsoever at the result, for they had given their all, but it wasn't enough, and Newport had deservedly won the day (6-10)'."

" 'It spoke volumes for the Newport club that, in a season when their results have been so poor, their players could still produce a fighting spirit such as was seen at Llynfi Road in this match. A great club could not stay down for long whilst such a spirit exists amongst its players, for it was a memorable day and an honour to have entertained them at Maesteg'."

"Since the first two games we have played another five matches. In our Centenary season 1982/83 the result was twelve points to seven in Maesteg's favour. The spoils being shared in the other four games:"

"1983/84 Newport 53 Maesteg 14"

"1984/85 Maesteg 17 Newport 13"

"1985/86 Newport 39 Maesteg 3"

"1987/88 Newport 14 Maesteg 18"

"This season Newport, under the captaincy of Glen George, have only lost one game, against Blackheath last Saturday by thirty points to three. Similarly, Maesteg lost their game last Saturday, going down to Coventry seventeen points to ten. On paper, so we are informed by the press, Newport have a better record, but as one pundit put it - 'the phoney war is now over.' At the time of going to press the Newport team has not been finalised, but we can be sure it will be the strongest available, as is the Maesteg team. Only one player remains of the team which found Bryncethin such a handful on Tuesday evening, Phillip Jones. The fourteen changes include top scorer (five tries) Jonathon Dodd returning to the right wing, prop Richard Doble (three tries in three games), and last seasons Player of the Year, Hugh - sorry - Huw Woodland also on three tries, plays at scrum-half."

"As promised Premier Division and First Division games will have independent touch judges to assist the referee. Today we extend a very warm welcome to Peter Blake and Ceri Morgan who will be assisting Mr. Morrison of the English R.F.U. We hope that Mr. Morrison will have an enjoyable visit to the Principality, and to Maesteg, and that we will all have an enjoyable afternoon and evening."