History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Newport Rugby Club's decision to dispense with their United team will obviously be regretted by many old players who alternated between the first and second teams for very many years. The past achievements of the United are still fresh in the memory. In 1949-50 the United, under the captaincy of Roger Wade, were invincible. They won 29 of their 33 matches and drew the other four, scoring 503 points and conceding only seventy."

"The following season they again enjoyed a remarkably successful season. They won 26 of their 28 matches, drew one and lost one, the latter to Crumlin. The United squad affectionately called themselves "The Rags", but they were very far from that! In fact, that season Newport's first team recorded one of their most successful campaigns, losing only two and drawing one of their 37 games. Yet they called upon forty players to help them do so!"

"Still, things are changing throughout the rugby world, and Newport officials are confident that their under-21 team will fill the gap adequately. Most of the present United team are, I am told, under 21, and under the regulations their squad can be reinforced by seven players who are over 21 years old."

"A full programme is being arranged for them, both in England, where quite a number of clubs have teams in this age group, and, of course, in Gwent and other parts of South Wales. They could have a promising and interesting future."

"For a variety of reasons Newport have been obliged to make a number of alterations in their remaining fixtures, involving as many as seven other clubs. Their usually attractive home match with Bristol, which was due to be played on April 17, will not now take place unless a new date can be arranged, and Newport will now meet Cardiff at Arms Park on April 17 instead of April 24."

"The home match with Penarth originally scheduled for November 14 has been switched to January 9, taking the place of the away match with Llanelli. New dates for the Llanelli game and the away match with Cross Keys, which has been moved from November 12, have yet to be settled."

"Newport's away game with Swansea will now take place on March 27, and Glamorgan Wanderers will be played on April 3. Of course, some of the new dates could again be upset if some of the clubs are still engaged in the Welsh Cup."

"Still, Newport are trying to arrange a match with London Irish, who operate in the English top division. If this plan succeeds, the game will take place at Rodney Parade on April 24. Before that, however, Newport have two attractive non-league engagements to fulfil - both at home. On November 3 the Barbarians will make their annual visit, and on Monday, November 23 the touring team from Transvaal will play Newport. Sandwiched between those two matches will be the home fixture with London Scottish, who will make their first trip to Rodney Parade."

"WELCOME, THE CHAMPIONS . . ."

"Swansea, today's visitors to Rodney Parade, are again firmly establishing themselves as the top team in Welsh rugby. Their strength is such that ten of their players are in the current Welsh senior international squad, and six of them were chosen to play against Italy earlier in the month. They aiso have several ex-Welsh internationals on their register."

"Swansea's biggest triumph of the season so far was achieved when they went to Stradey Park and chalked up a 14-7 victory over their old and powerful, rivals Llanelli, who also have a big crop of internationals in their squad. Today they will be defending an unbeaten record."

"Although he faces a strong challenge from Englisnman Rupert Moon, who has turned his back on his own country to make himself eligible for Wales, Robert Jones, Swansea's inside half, is still regarded as the number one choice for the scrum half berth in the Welsh team."

"Jones already has a collection of 42 caps, and he now has his sights on becoming the third most capped Welsh player. He needs to keep his place in all this season's internationals in order to pass Gerald Davies' total of 46 caps. Yet Jones will only be 27 years old in November, and is certainly not too old to serve Wales for some years to come."

"Jones, of course, is by no means the oldest player in the Swansea squad. The West Wales club have several long servicemen who are still performing efficiently. Former Welsh captain Richard Moriarty, for instance, is 35, and prop forward Keith Colclough is 34. And still going strong in the back division is Mark Titley, who is 32. Skill and experience can still offset age, thank goodness! Incidentally, Swansea's latest newcomer is Jason Ball, who has joined them from Neath."

"Gwent rugby followers have a direct interest in Swansea's progress, for their coach, Mike Ruddock, comes from Blaenau Gwent, and previously played for Tredegar before he switched to Swansea, with whom he won Welsh B honours against France."