From the match programme:
"Rodney Review"
"by Willis Huntley"
"INJURIES HAVE HAUNTED NEWPORT"
"Ever since the 1993-4 season began, Newport Rugby Club have been plagued by an astonishing crop of injuries. In fact, as many as twenty one members of the first team squad have, at various times, had to be crossed off the selectors' list of available players."
"Unfortunately, some are still out of action, but I am informed that there is better news of several of the casualties. Ian Jeffreys and Chris Scott are likely to have shaken off the effects of their injuries by the end of next week, and Jonathan Westwood and Mike Voyle are hoping to be back in action by Christmas."
"Sean Duggan and Kevin Moseley, however, will have to wait longer for the chance to return to the active list. Duggan, particularly, is not expected to have made a complete recovery until at least a month into the new year."
"As a matter of interest, as well as to emphasise the difficulties which the selectors have had to grapple with in recent months, here is the list of players, in addition to those already mentioned, who have had to join the sick parade for various degrees of injuries:-"
"Roger Bidgood, Chris Morris, John Goodchild, Mark Roderick, Andrew Lewis, Andrew Dibble, Richard Goodey, David Llewellyn, Andy Peacock, Alun Carter, Simon MCracken, James Alvis, Kevin Withey, Mark Yendle and Ben Watklins."
"Unfortunately, Newport dropped a valuable league point in last weekend's match with neighbouring Newbridge, but luck was certainly not on their side when David Rees attempted to drop a goal almost in the last minute. His aim was true, but just when it seemed that the linesmen were about to signal a goal, the ball closely shaved a post and fell the wrong way to leave the scores at 17/17."
"Drawn matches have been rare in the league. In fact, Newport had not figured in one until last Saturday. Once again, however, Newport, especially in the first half, applied considerably more pressure than their opponents, but they just could not turn it into points."
"Meanwhile, David Rees continues to keep his individual score chart moving. His four penalty goals against Newbridge brought his points total to 129. Roger Bidgood marked his return to the side by scoring a try, which brought Newport's try total to 42."
"TODAY'S VISITORS"
"DUNVANT'S FIRST VISIT"
"Today Dunvant, the team from the outskirts of Swansea, make their first appearance at Rodney Parade. They come as one of the top teams in Wales, for last season they deservedly gained promotion to the first division of the Heineken League. During that remarkable campaign they won 21 of their 22 league matches. Their only defeat was inflicted by Llanharan just a month before their programme was due to end."
"Ironically, two Gwent clubs finally helped them to achieve their big ambition, though certainly not intentionally! Dunvant made sure of promotion by winning 14-6 at Tredegar, and they clinched the second division championship when they thrashed Blaina 48-3. And one of their players, Mark Thomas, put himself among the league's leading points scorers with 195 points, which gained him eleventh place."
"Yet it is not so very long ago that Dunvant were just a Swansea and district club, and I must confess that the only thing I knew about Dunvant was that it had an excellent village pub called The Black Boy! That was years ago, and Dunvant Rugby Club, in particular, have developed rapidly. They have spent heavily on ground improvements, including the erection of a 250-seater grandstand, and terracing for 2,000 spectators."
"Dunvant may be overshadowed by their lofty neighbours, star-studded Swansea, yet their increased prestige is such that the Welsh Rugby Union recognised it by allocating them a match with Japan, the only club to receive this distinction. And they justified that honour by restricting the Japanese to a single point victory. Newport will certainly have rueful recollections of their match at Dunvant in their first league match of the season, for they were beaten 12-7 by the West Walians. Since then Dunvant have beaten three other Gwent clubs ? Newbridge, Cross Keys and, a fortnight ago, Pontypool."
"Dunvant are captained by second row forward David Crane, who had previously gained first-class experience with Llanelli, and also in the squad are Carwyn Young, a former Welsh under-21 cap who previously played for Neath and Llanelli, and new signing centre Tony Wake from nearby Swansea, as well as nearly all the players who helped the club to win promotion last season."
"Another Dunvant player with plenty of experience behind him is 26-year old Richard Greenwood, a flanker who has captained the West Wales team. After appearing in England's senior schools trials he went on to play for Lydney and Bristol before moving to the Mumbles."
"WILLIS HUNTLEY"
The match itself:-
Newport set off at a cracking pace, scoring one of the best tries likely to be seen all season. Mark Yendle made the initial incision with a neat dummy and co-centre Roger Bidgood was on hand to make the move fifty yards upfield. Ben Watkins and Richard Goodey supported to send David Gray over for the try. That score bore little resemblance to the 75 minutes of rugby that was to follow. When Newport skipper Roger Bidgood limped off early in the second half the game lost its one penetrative runner. David Rees kicked three goals for Newport and Mark Thomas three penalties for the visitors.