"CLUB NOTES"

"Last season CROSS KEYS beat Newport at Pandy Park by 20pts to 16pts and at Rodney Parade, in the return game, the home side won by 25pts to 4pts. Throughout the long history of the Valley club there has always been some outstanding talent, but sadly Newport, Newbridge and Pontypool have succeeded in attracting the players away from Cross Keys. Similarly the club has tapped the resources of their smaller neighbours, but now that players will not be able to "guest" on permit, Cross Keys may find their resources stretched."

"Stories abound as to when Cross Keys Rugby Club was formed. Rugby was certainly being played as early as 1870 when the side was called Newtown. Later a club called Cross Keys Wanderers drew crowds to George Hoare's field, which in time became Pandy Park. Ultimately, in 1870, the team was known as Cross Keys. In those early days the Club played in the Monmouthshire League, but after clinching the title in 1909 Cross Keys gained "first class status". On September 17th 1910, Newport played Cross Keys at home, but the following season The Keys did not appear on the fixture list! Risca did however, (on September 16th) - why? we'll never know! Certainly the Cross Keys team was strong at that time, but the ground by the River Ebbw became the haunt for Rugby League scouts and eight players went north just before the 1914-1918 War."

"Although The Depression forced some players to seek work in England (Weston had several Welshmen in the side), Cross Keys responded to adversity by fielding some of the best teams in the country. In 1922 the Club became unofficial Welsh Champions for the first time. There were internationals in Steve Morris (capped 19 times), Fred Reeves, Ron Herrera and F.A. "Lonzer" Bowdler. For some years the Cross Keys pack was the key to success and in 1936 The Keys again won the Welsh Championship. The Gwent club, however, was inadequately represented in the National side and only Steve Winmlll, Con Murphy, Trevor "Tabor" Williams, Bill Ward and Russell Taylor were capped in the immediate pre-war years."

"After the War there was again a steady drift of players to Rugby League and other leading clubs. Rex Richards (ironically a Newport boy) was capped from Cross Keys (against France) in 1956, but future internationals Brian Price, John Uzzell, Stuart Watkins, Jack Hurrell, Jeff Squire, Gareth Evans, Bobby Windsor and Tony Faulkner all started their rugby education at Pandy Park."

"NEWPORT v BARBARIANS - Tuesday, October 3rd ..."

"This game will, as usual, be an "All Pay game". Admission to the Grand Stand will cost £4.00 and to the field £3.00; Schoolchildren and Senior Citizens half price. The club regrets the increase in price of admission, but these are inevitable due to the considerable guarantee required by The Barbarians. Since the change to the evening kick-off rarely has the "gate" covered the match expenses. As the sage said, "If you want the best you've got to pay for it!" Pontypool, Llanelli, Newbridge etc. would be delighted to stage the game!!"

"Hopefully, you'll have some small change left for the collection which will be taken for the Newport Schools Rugby Union. This is a voluntary organisation which receives no funding from the Education Authorities and relies on such contributions to pay for transport, kit, food for visiting teams etc. Thank you!"

"BRECON LOUNGE . . ."

"This lounge is for Members Only. Membership cards must be produced to gain admission. Security guards will be in attendance to ensure this procedure is strictly adhered to."