History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Newport rugby team's match with Neath today heralds the start of the second half of their Heineken League programme. They embark on it with a record of five victories and six defeats from their league activities during the first half of the campaign. It is certainly not an impressive one. In fact, their unexpected defeat at Maesteg, who had previously won only one league match, pushed them to the halfway mark in the first division."

"Still, it is some consolation that they have two matches in hand over several of their rivals, and supporters are hoping that their team's situation will improve very considerably in the new year. Exacting times, however, are obviously in store for them, for they have to travel to three teams who are in pursuit of the championship - Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli."

"The match with Llanelli was due to be played on January 9, but because of the Welsh squad's trip to the Canary Islands, which is designed to put them in fine shape for the five-nations championship, Newport will now visit Stradey Park on Tuesday, March 9."

"The sombre outlook for these three fixtures is that Newport went down heavily at home to these three clubs, yet there may well be a brighter side to their future for, since those set-backs, reinforcements have arrived at Rodney Parade. From Pontypool has come prop forward Andy Dibble; from Newbridge utility back David Rees has arrived eager to play at outside half, and from Abertillery the promising Jason Williams has switched to the black and ambers. There is also encouraging news concerning some of Newport's pre-Christmas casualties."

"The outside half berth has been a problem one since Paul Turner departed for the North of England club, Sale, and it remains to be seen whether the experienced Rees or young Williams will solve it. Rees has been playing at full back for Newbridge, Wales B and Monmouthshire, but this apparently is not his favourite position, hence his desire to return to the outside half berth which he originally occupied."

"The hope is that the latest arrivals will succeed in boosting their new colleagues' efforts to blow the clouds well away from Rodney Parade as swiftly as possible. May the new year be more richly rewarding on the field for Newport!"

"Newport's under-21 players can look forward to an interesting programme in the new year, for besides their match with Natal University, which is due to take place early next month, attractive fixtures have been arranged with English and Irish clubs."

"Mr. Keith Evans, Newport under-21 team manager, has been able to secure a home fixture with London Irish under-21 team on Sunday, March 7, and also a game with the Wasps on April 24. Newport's first team were due to play the Wasps on January 23, but the match had to be thrown overboard because of cup-ties."

"WELCOME BACK, NEATH!"

"Neath, today's visitors to Rodney Parade, finished fourth in the first division of the Heineken League last season. Today they are again lying in fourth place with ten victories from their 13 matches, which is already a superior record to their 1991-2 one. They have achieved those victories despite losing some outstanding players - ample proof that there is still an abundance of talent at The Gnoll."

"That talent includes such players as Paul Thorburn, their former captain, Gareth Llewellyn, their present captain, Glyn Llewellyn, John Davies, Martyn Morris, Brian Williams, and Kevin Phillips, all Welsh internationals. Twenty-two-year-old Gareth Llewellyn is one of the youngest players chosen to lead the Welsh All Blacks. He has already gained 12 Welsh caps, the last against Australia back in November, and more should go this giant second row forward's way during the five-nations championship."

"Neath, of course, have excellent uncapped players in their squad and among those who are forcing themselves to the front is scrum half Rhodri Jones, younger brother of Robert Jones the Wales, Lions and Swansea scrum half. His performances have been such that he gained preference over Welsh international Chris Bridges, a situation which prompted Bridges to transfer from Neath to Pontypool."

"Another player who is capturing the limelight is outside half Matthew McCarthy. The Irish international selectors are keeping a close watch on him, and he was picked to captain the Irish Exiles against Munster. He has dual nationality qualifications, and recently played for the Welsh Students against the French Students."

"Neath also have high hopes of Matthew Singer, a young full back who joined them from Porthcawl this season. He is a student at Bristol University, and a few weeks ago distinguished himself for Neath against Gloucester. In that game he scored 13 of the side's 23 points, a tally which included a try. Adrian Shaw, a young all-rounder, has also impressed. During the summer he plays cricket and has kept wicket for Glamorgan's second team."

"Incidentally, the three league defeats which Neath have suffered this season were inflicted by Swansea, Cardiff and Llanelli, but all three had the advantage of playing on their own grounds. Neath hope to turn the tables on this trio when they have to travel to The Gnoll!"

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"DEATH OF W.E. (BILL) DAVIES"

"It was with great regret that Newport Athletic Club learned of the sudden death of Mr. Bill Davies, a former honorary general secretary of the club, a position he relinquished in 1977. He was a keen rugby supporter for many years, and was prominent in Welsh lawn tennis circles, particularly the Welsh Open Lawn Tennis Championships, which were staged annually at Rodney Parade."