History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Since the publication of the last match programme an important change has taken place in the committee of Newport Rugby Club, who are bringing their season to an end with a new chairman. He is Ewart Pryer, who has stepped into the position following the sudden resignation of Jeff Watkins, who had occupied the chairmanship for the past three seasons."

"Ewart Pryer is one of the most popular personalities at Rodney Parade, and he will fill the office of chairman until the annual general meeting, probably at the beginning of June. He is also chairman of the Black and Amber Former Players Association, and is also the vice-chairman of Newport Athletic Club."

"While he was at Caerleon college training to be a school teacher, he played for Newbridge for two seasons, and then joined Newport for whom he played from 1953 to 1967, making twenty first team appearances in 1955-6 as a prop forward."

"Ewart, who also played for Caerleon college and the Welsh Academicals, was in the Newport team who played the powerful South African Universities XV, drawn from Stellenbosch and Capetown. Besides his rugby activities off the field he is a very keen golfer."

"Unfortunately, his hopes, as well as those of all the club's members and supporters, of seeing Newport reach the semi-final of the Welsh Cup, were not realised. Roger Bidgood and his men put up a stirring bid at the Brewery Field last week, but victory was snatched from them in the very last minute when Luc Evans kicked a penalty goal to give Bridgend a narrow 18-16 victory."

"But to return to the chairmanship. The man Ewart Pryer has taken over from, Jeff Watkins, is remaining on the football committee after giving very many years of service to Newport, both as a player and administrator. During his playing career he was selected to play for the Barbarians both in this country and Canada. He also gained a Monmouthshire county cap, played for the Crawshay XV and appeared in a Welsh trial."

"During his chairmanship Newport gained promotion to the top division of the Heineken League and reached the semi-finals of the Schweppes Cup. Today his rugby playing traditions are being carried on by his son, Ben, who has made a number of first team appearances in Newport's second row again this season."

"Meanwhile, Newport members, players and followers will be pleased to see Mr. Campbell Black back in circulation. He has recently undergone another operation and is now fit again to resume his honorary secretarial duties at the club - and behind the microphone, giving details of team changes at Newport's matches."

"WELCOME AGAIN, ABERAVON . . ."

"Aberavon, today's visitors to Rodney Parade, won promotion to the first division of the Heineken League last season in company with the South Wales Police. They have already made sure of retaining their place in it for next season, but the Police are doomed to drop back into the second division."

"Aberavon's best league performances so far were defeating Neath 13-12, and Pontypridd 19-14. They also defeated Neath 25-14 in a club match during the Christmas holidays, and in other non-league matches they were too strong for Northampton and Cheltenham, and they also gave Dunvant a taste of what they can expect in the first division when they trounced them 45-5."

"Aberavon, however, will have rueful recollections of their home match with Newport at the end of October, for they crashed to a 42-20 defeat. Their defence could not shackle Newport wing Andrew Lewis, who streaked through to register a hat-trick of tries."

"Throughout their long history Aberavon have produced many fine players, a number of whom were capped by Wales. Towering above them, both in stature and skill, was the giant second row forward Allan Martin, who made more than 600 appearances for them. He is still Aberavon's most capped player, having appeared for Wales 34 times between 1973 and 1981."

"Martin was also one of the three Aberavon players who were chosen for the British Lions' 1977 tour of New Zealand under the captaincy of Phil Bennett. With him were his club colleagues Clive Williams and John Bevan, as well as the Newport trio, Gareth Evans, David Burcher and Jeff Squire."

"Martin also went on the British Lions' tour of South Africa three years later. Another Aberavon player who became a British Lion was Rory O'Connor, who went on the 1962 tour to South Africa and with him were two Newport forwards, Bryn Meredith and Glyn Davidge."

"Among other Aberavon players who turned out for Wales were Cliff Ashton, Les Keen, Ian Hall, Kevin Coslett, Ned Jenkins and Ray Giles, and many years ago George Vickery was capped direct from Aberavon by England for their match against Ireland."

"Aberavon have yet to win the Welsh Cup, but they have reached the final twice, and on each occasion they were beaten by Llanelli, though the first time only by the narrow margin of two points. And before the introduction of the League system they carried off the Welsh club championship on one occasion and went close to doing so several other times. Next season their supporters are hoping that more glory will come their team's way."