History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"It is back to the Heineken League for Newport rugby players almost entirely for the rest of the month. And what an exacting period that will be for them, for they have to travel to two of the most formidable teams in the first division."

"Next Tuesday they will be at Stradey Park facing Llanelli, who have lost only one league match this season, and on Saturday, March 27, they will be at St. Helen's taking on Swansea, who share the top rung of the ladder with Cardiff, who, incidentally, were defeated at Arms Park by Llanelli a fortnight ago."

"Both Llanelli and Swansea inflicted heavy defeats on Newport at Rodney Parade earlier in the season, so Glenn George and his squad will certainly have to pull out something extra if they are to secure revenge. Sandwiched between the Llanelli and Swansea fixtures is yet another league match - against Pontypridd on Saturday, March 13."

"The Glamorgan team also won at Rodney Parade this season, and with Neil Jenkins determined to maintain his form and so keep his place in the Wales team, Newport can expect another tough encounter with Pontypridd, who are just below them in the league table."

"As a welcome relief from the rigours of their league programme, Newport will entertain their old friends, Ebbw Vale, on Wednesday, March 17, but the following Tuesday will be back again struggling to collect league points, this time from the South Wales Police."

"The Police, who have recently strengthened their resources, languish at the bottom of the first division table, but in their last league match they took two valuable points from Newbridge, who they defeated 27-14 on the Western Valley club's ground."

"The Police, whose newcomers include Welsh international Richie Collins, who spent some time with Newport before joining Cardiff, will be keen to make amends for the 42-0 drubbing which Newport handed out to them at Waterton Cross back in September. Life for Newport players during March will be far from easy!"

"Fortunately, Newport should have no relegation worries, but their supporters are looking to them to at least remain in their present respectable position above the halfway mark, and not slip up like they did in their home match with Bridgend!"

"TONIGHT'S VISITORS . ."

"WELCOME, THE CHERRY PICKERS . . ."

"Gloucester are one of the oldest and most respected rugby clubs in the country. The number of famous and talented players who have turned out for the "Cherry Pickers", as the West Country club are affectionately known on account of their colours, runs into four figures. Throughout the years a stream of them have appeared in international rugby, and they still have some current caps in their team."

"Among the famous personalities who readily spring to mind are that great forward, the much capped Tom Voyce, Harold Boughton, Mike Burton, Graham Parker, George Hastings, A.D. (Bumps) Carpenter, Peter Ford, John Watkins, Peter Hordern (who also played for Newport), Don Rutherford (now the Rugby Union's technical director), and, of course, that little Welshman, Willie Jones."

"Both Parker and Jones were also first-class cricketers - the former for Cambridge University and Gloucestershire, and the latter for Glamorgan, for whom he scored many runs. Parker once scored a double century for Gloucestershire, for whom he later became secretary, and on the rugby field he kicked 19 points for England in their 1938 match with Ireland."

"Gloucester have lost a number of top players to other clubs this season, much to the annoyance of their officials, some of whom have spoken out strongly against what they allege may have been more than gentle persuasion! Still, they again have a strong squad which includes Scottish internationals Ian Smith, their captain, and Peter Jones, England B caps David Sims and Neil Matthews, and England under-21 international Richard West."

"West, who comes from Herefordshire and originally played for Moseley, and Sims have developed into one of the most effective second row partnerships in the Courage League, Sims has played for England B team four times, and last summer he went to New Zealand and played for King Country."

"Among other prominent players in the Gloucester squad are the versatile Donald Caskie, Martin Roberts, a sound full back, Tom Smith a speedy wing, Marcus Hannaford, an astute scrum half, John Hawker, Damian Cummins and Paul Ashmead, to mention just a few."

"At the moment, Gloucester are striving to retain their position in the top division of the Courage League, and the indications are that they will succeed in their objective, which will be a good thing for West Country rugby prestige!"