"RODNEY COMMENTARY"
"A SCHWEPPES CUP PREVIEW. . ."
"Today's match between Newport and Swansea could hardly be a more intriguing one, for nine days later they will again oppose each other, this time on neutral ground in the semi-final of the Schweppes Cup. Although league points will be at stake this afternoon there is little doubt that the thoughts of the players - and their supporters - will be dwelling on their pending cup clash."
"Obviously, the game gives both sides the opportunity to gauge each other's strong - and perhaps weak - points, though probably efforts will be made to camouflage their strategies! Be that as it may, Newport are under no illusions about the severity of their task this afternoon, and again nine days later, yet they will not be overawed by the presence of so many current and former Welsh internationals in the Swansea line-up. They, too, have seven players who have been capped by Wales."
"Newport and Swansea, of course, have met several times in the Schweppes Cup, and they were the finalists in 1978. Newport were then the holders, but it was Swansea's turn to carry off the trophy. They defeated Newport 13-9, their points coming from a try by Jeff Herdman, dropped goals by David Richards and Gareth Jenkins, and a penalty goal by Roger Blyth. Newport's nine points were scored by full back Chris Webber, who kicked three penalty goals."
"The teams on that memorable occasion lined up as follows . . . NEWPORT: Chris Webber, Ken Davies, David Burcher (captain), Neil Brown, David Bale, Gareth Evans, Brynmor Williams, Colin Smart, Steve Jones, Rhys Morgan, Jeff Watkins, Tony Mogridge, Bryan Lease, Jeff Squire, Geoff Evans. SWANSEA: Roger Blyth, Huw Rees, Alan Meredith (captain), Gareth Jenkins, Alun Donovan, David Richards, Huw Davies, Hywel Hopkins, Jeff Herdman, Phil Llewellyn, Geoff Wheel, Barry Clegg, Trevor Evans, Richard Moriarty, Mark Keyworth. The referee was Clive Norling."
"This afternoon, the final curtain falls on Newport's 1991-2 home programme, and it is certainly ending with a flourish. Whatever the results of the league and cup clashes with Swansea's team of stars, Newport can look back on the season with a moderate amount of satisfaction. Besides their progress in the cup they justified their promotion to the top division of the Heineken League, though they faded away in disappointing fashion during the second half of the season."
"So far as individual honours are concerned, two players gained Welsh senior caps. Kevin Moseley played against France in the friendly match and against Western Samoa, Argentina and Australia in the World Cup. At long last Roger Bidgood's ability was recognised, and he secured a belated Welsh cap against Scotland. Two of Newport's younger players, Jonathan Westwood and Mark Davis, were both in the Welsh team who played Scotland in the under-21 match at Murrayfield, and a third, Chris Wyatt, was picked as a replacement for the Wales under-19 team against Scotland at Stirling."
"Fortunately for Newport, the big majority of their players are excellent young prospects, so some of them may secure recognition at various levels next season, especially if the Welsh Rugby Union are successful in their efforts to arrange a number of representative fixtures in addition to the five-nations championship and the match with the Australians."
"WILLIS HUNTLEY"
"TODAY'S VISITORS"
"SWANSEA RUN TRUE TO TRADITION"
"Throughout the years, Swansea Rugby Club teams have always had outstanding players in their ranks, and this season has certainly run true to tradition. Indeed, the Welsh selectors relied so heavily on the men from St Helen's for their five-nations championship campaign that seven were called up for duty."
"Six of them, Robert Jones, Tony Clement, Garin Jenkins, Scott Gibbs, Stuart Davies and Richard Webster, played in all the championship matches, and the seventh player, David Joseph, was a replacement. Scrum half Jones increased his collection of international caps to 37, and now shares seventh place with Paul Thorburn in the Wales international appearances chart. More caps should go his way next season."
"There are, of course, other players in the Swansea squad who have previously worn the red jersey of Wales at senior and other levels, so it is hardly surprising that the All Whites are making such a strong bid to achieve the cup and league double."
"Swansea's history is full of outstanding individual and team achievements. They defeated Newport to win the Schweppes Cup in 1978, and they were runners up in the competition on three occasions, the last time as recently as 1987 when they lost 16-15 to Cardiff after extra time had been played."
"The list of Swansea players who have appeared for Wales and the British Lions is certainly an extensive one, and West Walians will remember with pride the deeds of Jack Bancroft, Haydn Tanner, W.T.H. (Willie) Davies, R.C.C. Thomas, Dewi Bebb, Mervyn Davies, Roger Blyth, the Moriarty brothers, David Richards and Barry Clegg .. .to mention just a few of the club's greats."
"WILLIS HUNTLEY"