History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Tonight's match with the ever-welcome Barbarians heralds the start of what promises to be a highly entertaining month for Newport rugby followers, for it will be followed by further attractive fixtures. Although the various international squads have first claim on certain players, such is the glamour of the Barbarians that they usually succeed in fielding a talented array of players, as Newport again discovered last season when they crashed to a 39-10 defeat. Ian Hunter, who scored two tries during his England debut against Canada a fortnight ago, scored two of the seven tries which the Barbarians registered against Newport."

"Four days after their match with the Baa-Baas Newport will be at home to London Scottish, members of England's top division, who will be making their first trip to Rodney Parade. The London "exiles" have several Scottish internationals in their ranks, among them Damian Cronin and Derek White. Among their best performances this season were holding Harlequins to 22-22 draw, trouncing Heriots F.P. and Nottingham, beating Gloucester 8-3 and losing by only three points to both Orrell and Bristol."

"Newport's third big attraction of November will be the visit of the Transvaal touring team, provided they receive further all-clear signals from the WRU. Finally, to round off the month, Newport will be at home to their old rivals, Cardiff, in a Heineken League match. Cardiff are now engaged in a campaign to recover some of their lost glory, and they are doing so in a most effective manner."

"Cardiff have several newcomers in their first team squad, and one who will be watched with keen interest by Newport supporters is Nigel Walker, the 29-year-old Olympic Games hurdler. His pace will be compared with Newport's former Olympic Games sprinter, Ken Jones, who still enjoys the distinction of being the fastest Welshman in history. He did 100 yards in 9.8 seconds ? at that time an English and Welsh record."

"Defeat in their last two matches, particularly the one inflicted on them by Pontypridd, was disappointing, but Newport certainly should not feel embarrassed by their heavy setback against Swansea. The team from St. Helen's, with their imposing array of internationals, are undoubtedly the top combination in Wales. They are endowed with skill, resourcefulness and tremendous staying power, and although the season is not yet half over they appear all set to retain the first division championship."

"As for Newport, they have had to contend with a glut of injuries, but the return to the active list of their captain, Glenn George, was among the most pleasant happenings at Rodney Parade in recent weeks. The arrival of right wing Ian Jeffreys from Cardiff and second row forward Mike Voyle from Ebbw Vale will also give the team selectors a little more scope in readiness for the second half of the league programme." "WILLIS HUNTLEY"

"TONIGHT'S VISITORS"

"WELCOME BACK, BARBARIANS . . ."

"Since their previous visit to Rodney Parade last November, the Barbarians have chalked up four victories in England and Wales, and one in Russia. They defeated Leicester 29-21, East Midlands 52-29, Cardiff 26-25, Swansea 55-12, and Krasny-Yar 32-21. The Barbarians, however, were beaten 27-23 by CIS in Moscow."

"After today's match with Newport they will be taking on Australia, the world champions, in the last match of their British tour, at Twickenham on November 25. It will be the sixth time for the Baa-Baas to play the Wallabies, and the first time to oppose them at Twickenham. All the other five matches were staged at Cardiff, and on two occasions the Barbarians emerged the victors."

"They defeated the Australians 11-6 in 1958 and 19-17 in 1976, but the Wallabies won the other three matches 17-11, 37-30 and 40-22. The Barbarians were also due to play the Australians at Cardiff in 1982, but that fixture had to be cancelled because of a heavy fall of snow."

"The Barbarians have, of course, also played the two other major touring countries, New Zealand and South Africa, and players from both these two countries, as well as Australia and France, have turned out for the Barbarians in various matches."

"On two occasions the Barbarians have toured Canada, where they won all their matches, and twice they have toured South Africa where they won five and drew one of their 12 matches. Two ex-Newport players, Bill Morris and John Jeffrey, were in the Barbarians' team for their second trip to South Africa."

"Throughout the years very many Newport players have enjoyed the distinction of playing for the Barbarians, and four of Newport's present squad, David Waters, Glenn George, Alun Carter and Roger Bidgood, are among them. So are Rhys Morgan, one of Newport's coaches, David Watkins, the club's team manager and coach, and committee members Jeff Watkins {who toured Canada with them), Geoff Evans and Stuart Watkins."

"Newport and the Barbarians first played each other as long ago as 1892-3. So much has been written about the Barbarians during the past one hundred years that it is difficult to find something new to say about them. Yet what must be said is that they continue to play in the highest sporting manner and live up to their famous motto that "Rugby football is a game for gentlemen of all classes but never for a bad sportsman in any class"."