From the match programme:-
"RODNEY COMMENTARY"
"BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!"
"Undoubtedly Newport Rugby Club’s best news of the week was the Welsh selectors’ long awaited decision to give Roger Bidgood his richly deserved first senior international cap. Tomorrow he will take the field against Scotland at the National Stadium, Cardiff, carrying with him the good wishes of all the club officials and supporters, as well as those of many members of the general public."
"Until this week Roger had every reason to regard himself as one of the unluckiest players in first-class Welsh rugby. First of all the weather prevented him making his international debut five years ago, and after that his outstanding displays in club rugby were repeatedly ignored, much to the astonishment of many followers in South Wales and in the West of England, Still, it can now be said “better late than never!” "
"Bidgood, who played for Wales against France in the 1986 and 1987 B international matches, was robbed of a Welsh senior cap when frost caused the match between Wales and Ireland at Cardiff on January 17th, 1987, to be postponed. He had been selected for that match, but when it took place two months later he was surprisingly left out of the Welsh team, though he had not lost his form in club games. Bidgood, however, had the last laugh for Wales were defeated 15-11."
"Twenty-six-years-old Bidgood, who has played for the Barbarians, Cardiff and Pontypool, has certainly proved a big asset to Newport. He played a decisive role in Newport’s successful league promotion drive last season and during the present season he has again produced thrustful form, scoring eleven tries in 25 matches."
"Bidgood joins the long list of Newport players who have won international caps. Newport, in fact, holds the distinction of having provided Wales with far more players than any other Gwent club. Among them are seven of the present squad — Glenn George, Alun Carter, David Waters, Paul Turner, Mark Davis, Kevin Moseley, and, of course, Roger Bidgood."
"Injuries have continued to hit Newport, the latest crop occurring at a vital stage of their league campaign. Unfortunately, their defeat at Stradey Park caused them to drop a place in the first division table, but they remain only three points behind the leaders, Swansea and Bridgend."
"The latter’s victory over Swansea underlines the severity of Newport’s Schweppes Cup match with the joint leaders in a fortnight’s time. Next week’s visitors, Neath, will also present a difficult obstacle, for their victory over Newbridge last weekend indicated that they are moving away from their bad patch. Life in the league is becoming more and more arduous!"
"W.H."
"TODAY'S VISITORS . . . "
"WELCOME, BONNY SCOTS!"
"Glasgow High and Kelvinside are, as their title indicates, an amalgamation of two clubs, both of whom have had long and distinguished histories. Glasgow High School F.P., indeed, had some of Scotland’s most famous international players in their teams at various times. Among them were that great forward J.M. Bannerman, Herbert Waddell, Wilson Shaw and James (Hamish) Kemp."
"Bannerman, who gained 37 caps, did not believe in specialisation. He was happy to play in any position in the pack, though against Wales he was usually a prop and a mighty one at that! Second row forward Kemp won 27 caps between 1954 and 1960, and Shaw, a quicksilver outside half, played for his country 19 times and was captain on a number of occasions."
"Herbert Waddell was another outstanding half back who played 15 times for Scotland and toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1924. Waddell, who later became one of the leading lights in the Barbarians’ administration, had the company of four Newport players during that South Africa tour. They were Harold Davies, Vince Griffiths, Neil MacPherson and Bill Roche."
"Herbert Waddell’s son, Gordon Waddell, did not play for Glasgow High School F.P. After leaving Cambridge University he joined London Scottish, bift he emulated his father by winning a place in the British Lions’ 1962 team for the South African tour. He also played 15 times for Scotland."
"Another British Lion from Glasgow High School F.P. was Andrew Cameron, a full back, who was on the 1955 tour of South Africa. Newport were also represented in that team — by hooker Bryn Meredith."
"Among other Glasgow High School F.P.'s internationals were Jim Docherty, I.B. Lambie, J.C.H. Ireland and W.P. Black, and it was Docherty who helped to seal Scotland’s victory over Wales at Murrayfield in 1955 by dropping a goal. In that match Trevor Brewer, son of a former Newport County AFC director, Herbert Brewer, scored two tries. He played for Newport and London Welsh."
"Kelvinside, of course, also produced players for Scotland’s international team, and one of the most recent was Douglas White, a resourceful centre, who gained one of his caps against Wales, whose team on that occasion contained eight players from Gwent clubs, including the Newport pair, Brian Price and David Watkins."
"Today Glasgow High and Kelvinside have a resourceful combination who operate in the first division of Scotland’s national league. Tomorrow they will be at the National Stadium, Cardiff, cheering what they hope will be another victory over Wales!"
"W.H"