From the match programme:-
"CLUB NOTES"
"So, it's all over for another four years. When the dust settles, let us hope that the World Cup will be judged to have been a success. There are, however, many yardsticks by which success may be measured, and one which is at least as important as any other is enjoyment, pure and simple. We think that one of our top rugby correspondents got it absolutely right when he said that there was more to the World Cup than simply the winning and losing of a game, and that if we couldn’t enjoy a gathering of sixteen nations to celebrate the game once every four years, then the competition was hardly worth preserving. On the field, Wales did not do well, but did we still enjoy the World Cup? Let us hope so. After all, we shall be eight, or possibly twelve, years older before we next experience World Cup rugby in these islands. Meanwhile, let us give our unstinting congratulations to England and Australia on their magnificent achievement in reaching the final. In a sense we have a foot in both camps. Not only were we the official London hosts to the Australian World Cup party, but both Newport and ourselves have the unique distinction of being fully fledged members of both the WRU and RFU. Whoever may have won the big game, Australia have played some marvellous rugby throughout the competition, while England have truly upheld the status of British rugby."
"And so to today’s game, and our delight that Newport are with us on this Sunday afternoon. Of all our fixtures with Welsh clubs, this is the oldest, the first game having been played way back in 1885, when we were precisely two months old. We have met each other at home and away, without a single break, since 1933, and haven’t missed any date since 1902. It could be said that Newport versus London Welsh is one fixed point in a changing world. At a time when deep-rooted ties are being challenged as never before, this is one tradition that is certainly worth preserving."
"Our visitors were somewhat aggrieved last season to have found themselves in the first (i.e. second) division in the inaugural season of Heineken League rugby. In hindsight, though, they may have benefited from the experience, for they put together a fine record and have come back with confidence renewed. In fact, Newport won all but one of their 14 league games and ran in a league-leading 83 tries, at almost six a game. Playing to strength and spinning the ball wide has always been a Newport hallmark, so it is good that top honours should have gone to a club with such a far-sighted policy. Top scorer was Paul Turner (291 points), while Kevin Withey (16) and David Llewellyn (15) led the try-scorers."
"Now playing in the more appropriately named first division, Newport certainly have the talent and commitment to finish in the top half of the table, especially as they are now coached by our old friend Paul Turner. That in itself suggests an enterprising approach to the game. Paul has tormented us quite often enough in the past, and he was at it again last season, scoring 12 points in Newport’s exciting 28-19 victory here last September, to which Micky Bell responded with two tries, and another 18 in their clear-cut Easter success at Rodney Parade (50-16). But let us not be too harsh on a player who, only two or three years ago, was plotting victories on our behalf at Leicester and Bridgend !"
"Be that as it may, Newport have started this season in splendid form. In four all-Welsh encounters, they have already shelled Cross Keys (38-13) and relegated Glamorgan Wanderers (51-7) and Abertillery (39-6) at Rodney Parade, and gained a useful win at Ebbw Vale (15-10). They also did some pretty unspeakable things to Blackheath (56-0), beat gritty Coventry (13-7) at Coundon Road, and best of all, perhaps, defeated Gloucester (25-12). Apart from last week’s home defeat by Bristol (7-11), the only blot was next door at the Athletic Ground, in an extraordinary game with Richmond, which, because of our self-imposed lay-off in September, many of us may have seen. Now let’s be quite clear about this, Richmond were worthy winners (28-24), Our neighbours, served so well by All Black prop, Kevin Boroevich, are palpably a better side than their present third division status might suggest. But what was so remarkable about that game was that, having been well contained for the better part of 80 minutes, Newport then scored four tries in injury time . . . and still lost! Mind you, the referee did add on some 13 minutes. Heaven knows what might have happened had he blown for time three or four minutes later."
"So there we are. Next week we are at Roehampton to meet, maybe, a Grant Fox-inspired Rosslyn Park, and the following Saturday, the battle for league points begins at Sidcup. Our young side has already played some fine rugby in building up to this first league game. Let us all wish them the very best as they seek to emulate our friends from Newport, by proving that winning promotion can and should be achieved by the simple expedient of playing responsible and enterprising rugby, and running in the tries of which we all know they are capable."