From the match programme:
"Rodney Review"
"by Willis Huntley"
"THINGS NOT TOO COMFORTABLE!"
"Things are beginning to look far too uncomfortable for Newport in the Heineken League. In fact, they will go into this afternoon's match with a record of just two victories in eight league matches, and it is not without some significance that their two successes were registered against teams who are struggling to move away from the relegation zone ? Pontypool and Cross Keys."
"And it is somewhat embarrassing to find Newport below newcomers Dunvant in the first division table. The team from the Swansea area have three victories to their credit and all three were achieved at the expense of Gwent clubs, Newport, Cross Keys and Newbridge."
"Although there have been times when Newport have given way to frustrating ploys, it is quite clear that many of their problems can be traced in no small measure to the glut of injuries, some of them of a major character, they have suffered even before the season began. Unfortunately, there seems to be no end to these misfortunes, and Mr. Campbell Black, Newport's honorary secretary, tells me, rather gloomily, that some of the casualties will be out of action for months."
"Mike Voyle, who is suffering from a broken thumb, is not likely to be available for at least ten weeks, Kevin Moseley and Richard Goodey, who have undergone operations for groin and knee injuries, respectively, will be unable to play for more than a month, and Sean Duggan is practically out for the rest of the season."
" "There are, of course, other casualties, though fortunately such players as Andrew Lewis and Jonathan Westwood are not expected to be out of action for more than a couple of weeks," explained Mr. Black, a little more cheerfully this time!"
"Still, it should be to Newport's advantage that after next Saturday's match with title-chasing Cardiff, their next two matches will be played at Rodney Parade ? against their neighbours, Newbridge and Dunvant. Roger Bidgood and his team will certainly be exceptionally keen to turn the tables on the latter."
"The West Walians are a competent outfit, yet the experience and, perhaps, the talent are in Newport's favour, provided they do not falter in their efforts to capitalise on them! Meanwhile, among the most satisfactory features in recent weeks have been the splendid performances of Chris Wyatt and Ben Watkins. They are two of the players Newport must build upon for the future!"
"TODAY'S VISITORS"
"WELCOME BACK, ABERAVON"
"Aberavon, today's visitors to Rodney Parade, are one of the oldest first-class rugby clubs in Wales, and throughout their 117 years' history they have been among the most respected, a reputation which their present players, under the captaincy of John Jardine, are doing their best to maintain."
"The list of Aberavon players who have been capped by Wales is certainly a long one, headed by that giant second row forward, Allan Martin, who made 34 appearances for his country. Only four other forwards, Graham Price (Pontypool), Denzil Williams (Ebbw Vale), Mervyn Davies (London Welsh and Swansea), and Phil Davies (Llanelli) have made more appearances in the Wales pack."
"Another much capped Aberavon forward was Ned Jenkins, a second row stalwart, who played 21 times for Wales, including that notorious match with France in Paris between the wars. It was in that match that the French forwards gave full rein to sheer brutality, one act of which resulted in Newport forward Hubert Day having nine stitches inserted in his torn lip, a wound inflicted by a vicious punch."
"Among other Aberavon players who have worn the red jersey of Wales with pride were Les Keen, Cliff Ashton, Ian Hall, John Bevan, Kevin Coslett, Ray Giles, Paul Wheeler and Evan Williams. Another Aberavon player, George Vickery, was capped direct from the Glamorgan club by England for a match against Ireland."
"Aberavon are justifiably prqud of the fact that the British Lions, at various times, have called up four of their players. They were Allan Martin, who toured New Zealand and South Africa, and Clive Williams and John Bevan, who were with htm on the New Zealand trip, as well as Rory O'Connor, who went on a South African tour."
"Aberavon's two matches with Newport last season, however, will not have very pleasant recollections for them, for in each of them they were subjected to heavy defeats. They lost 42-20 on their own ground, and 50-0 at Rodney Parade."
"Today, however, Newport may well find Aberavon a more difficult proposi?tion, for John Jardine, who played for the West Wales XV against Japan, has led them to a 42-15 victory over Cross Keys, and a 12-12 draw with powerful Bridgend. Aberavon also put up stirring performances against Llanelli at Stradey Park, where they lost 21-14, and against Neath, who were restricted to a 10-0 victory. Among their newcomers is No.8 Julian Williams from Llanelli."
"Incidentally, watching Aberavon's progress from afar during the second half of the season will be Glamorgan cricket captain Hugh Morris, who will be leading England's A team in South Africa. He formerly played for Aberavon, and in one match for them ? against Abertillery ? he scored 13 points. That was his first appearance for them, and on his third he scored 16 points against Penarth."
"WILLIS HUNTLEY"