History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"The selection of Roger Bidgood for the Wales team who trounced Italy caused satisfaction at Rodney Parade, but less satisfying was the composition of the Wales B team chosen to oppose the North of England XV at Pontypool this week. The reason for the latter was, of course, the absence of a Newport player even among the replacements."

"Still, the season is not two months old, so those Newport players who were originally selected for the various Welsh squads should not lose heart. In any case, they have plenty of other rugby matters on their minds - the Heineken League matches, the approaching Welsh Cup-ties and, for some of them, Monmouthshire's game with the world champions Australia and the Crawshays fixture with the South African Barbarians."

"Unfortunately, injuries have again hit Newport - and at an all too early stage of their league programme. The latest casualty is Welsh international centre Roger Bidgood, who sustained a shoulder injury playing for Wales against the Italians."

"Bidgood has already scored five tries, including two in one match, for Newport this season, and his penetrative thrusts will be missed during the next fortnight's engagements, which are likely to be stern encounters for his side. So far Bidgood has gained only one belated Welsh cap, but he should add to that if he can steer clear of injuries."

"Even before the season began David Llewellyn and Kevin Moseley had to be ruled out of selection, and in recent weeks Glenn George and Andy Allen, two of Newport's other Welsh caps, have been forced to miss vital fixtures. Happily, most of the casualites are back on the active list, which is welcome news for next week Newport will be home to powerful Swansea."

"This match is likely to prove even tougher than Newport's clash with Llanelli, for the team from St. Helen's are the outstanding combination at the moment. Six of their players were in the Welsh team against Italy and another five were in the Welsh B team against the North of England. No-one can begrudge Swansea their big representation, yet so far as the latter game was concerned perhaps players in this part of the country merited some consideration! Still, Newport can gain encouragement from their successive victories over Pontypool and Bridgend."

"WELCOME BACK, PONTYPRIDD . . ."

"Pontypridd, today's visitors to Rodney Parade, shared the honours with Newport in their Heineken League clashes last season. Newport, playing at home, defeated the Glamorgan men 13-6, but in the return game at Sardis Road Pontypridd pleased their supporters by running out 25-12 winners."

"Pontypridd finished third in the first division last season - behind Swansea and Llanelli - and they also reached the semi-final of the Schweppes Cup; but this season they began their league programme on a disappointing note, losing to Neath, Cardiff and Pontypoof, three tough assignments."

"The absence of their high-scoring outside half Neil Jenkins, who was under suspension for the first month, was partly responsible for Pontypridd's lack of success, but Jenkins, whose name was linked with several otner clubs, is now back in the Pontypridd team and helped them to beat Maesteg 29-20."

"But even before he became available things started to improve for Pontypridd. They defeated Newbridge by a convincing margin, and then travelled to the Brewery Field, where they held Bridgend to a 12-12 draw."

"Jenkins, who has played for Wales eight times, is anxious to regain his place in the five-nations championship team, and he has started his representative comeback by being selected for the Wales B team who played the North of England this week. His scrum half partner, Paul John, was a replacement for that match."

"Both Jenkins and John played for Wales B against Holland in 1990-1 under the captaincy of Glenn George, Newport's skipper, and Jenkins collected 18 points through a try, four conversions and two penalty goals. Jenkins, playing at centre, kicked three penalty goals against both Ireland and France last season."

"Prop forward Nigel Bezani has succeeded right centre Steele Lewis as Pontypridd's captain, and Ceri Jones, a former captain, has returned to the club from Cardiff. Also resuming his career with Pontypridd is full back Matthew Back, who spent a season with Cardiff Institute. Among other well-known personalities in the team are NewZealander Dale Mclntosh, a powerful lock forward, and prop forward Paul Knight, who has played for Wales five times."