"Bridgend v Newport"
"After last weeks cup win over a very useful Felinfoel side by 29-6, we return to the Heineken League today with the return fixture against Newport who are on the same number of points as ourselves."
"Newport come to us today after losing their last 3 games, but with the experience of players like ROGER BIDGOOD, MIKE YENDLE, DAVID REES, ANDREW DIBBLE, MIKE VOYLE, ALAN CARTER and RICHARD GOODEY they will be very tough opponents."
"For Bridgend it is very pleasing to see DAVID BRYANT putting together a run of games, and in so doing being drafted into the Wales 'A' squad to join ROBERT HOWLEY and GWILYM WILKINS who must be in the selectors minds for the full side in place of the injured NIGEL WALKER."
"But it comes as a great surprise to all at the club that MATTHEW LEWIS has not been considered for the 'A' squad as he is playing consistently well week in week out."
"On the injury front we welcome back SIMON BRYANT, NATHAN JONES, SIMON JENKINS, GWILYM WILKINS and with PAUL JONES and GLENN WEBBE back in training, we now only have Nigel Spender with a knee injury."
"Congratulations again go to KEVIN MABLY on being selected man of the match by the referee in last Saturdays cup win."
"Some Facts and Reflections"
"from W.A.D. Lawrie"
"Today's game is the first of six remaining games of the 1993/94 season in the First Division of the Heineken League, and is a vital one for both Clubs in their efforts to consolidate and hopefully improve current places in the table. Of the last 8 games at the Brewery Field it has been "level pegging" with Newport wins in 85/86 (20-16), 86/87 (12-6), 88/89 (15-10) and 92/93 (24-5). Bridgend's 4 wins were 87/88 (28-6), 89-90 (11 -10), 91192 (12-7) and 92/93 (18-16). Since 1966/67 the summaries read - Bridgend - home - played 27, won 1 7, lost 8, drawn 2 and away - played 26, won 9, lost 16 and drawn 1."
"The 24-11 Heineken League win at Rodney Parade on 2nd October last will probably rank as one of the Clubs best performances of the season with tries by GLEN WEBBE, IAN CREENSLADE and PHILIP WINTLE, and 3 cons and 1 P.G. to GWILYM WILKINS to 1 try and 2 P.G's."
"To date Newport have played 27 games, won 13, lost 1 3, drawn 1. Points for 579, against 565; top scorer DAVID REES 199 points from 7 tries, 37 cons, 29 P.G., 1 D.G. Club captain ROGER BIDGOOD (current Welsh squad) has been dogged by injury since September and has only played 10 games to date. Vice-captain KEVIN MOSELEY has also been out of action since 12th October through injury. There is, however, better news of the Wales under 21 full back JONATHAN WESTWOOD who suffered a ligament injury back in August and has not played this season. He had surgery in September, and has now been given the green light by specialist John Fairclough and could well figure in today's line-up. For Newport his return comes after 5 months during which no fewer than 15 first-team squad men have been injured with 8 of the first-team squad currently on the injured list. Despite Press "fairy tales" the nominated squad consists of 29 players, the selection committee having to regularly call on under 21 players to help out. As a club Newport run an under 21 team, youth team, under 17 team and a junior section running teams from U-16 to U-10. It is very much on the cards that Newport will be touring South Africa in May/June 1994 with games in Cape Town, George, Pretoria and Johannesburg."
"Outstanding wins this season have been against the Barbarians (35-19), Llanelli (Heineken League) 22-14 and Bristol 53-7."
"CHRIS WYATT (2nd row) and centre DUNCAN HUGHES played for Wales U-21 v Scotland U-21 - 14/1/94. WYATT came through Newport youth, played Wales youth, before going to New Zealand - March-August-1993 for extra experience. He has played for the 1st XV, scored a hat-trick of tries against the South African Barbarians, and is currently top try scorer with DAVID LLEWELLYN and DAVID REES. Other outstanding young players include flanker BEN WATKINS and flanker DAVID GRAY who joined from Pontypool United this season. Long serving DAVID WATERS (countless appearances and 143 points) is still giving 100% for his club - long may he continue to do so."
"On the administrative side Mr. EWART PRIOR took over as Club Chairman when Mr. JEFF WATKINS stood down in March 1993; Hon Secretary and Chairman of Finance Mr. CAMPBELL BLACK has been on the Club Committee for 23 years, while the Team Manager is Mr. DAVID WATKINS, a household word in both Rugby codes for many years."
"The Club has recently appointed Mr. MARTIN HAZELL the first President of the Rugby Section. Mr. ROGER POWELL is the Chief Coach, combining with Mr. PAUL EVANS (backs) and Mr. ALEX LAWRIE (no relation) Fitness Advisor."
"We can be assured of one thing this afternoon and that is a 200% effort by the Newport team to put behind them their calamitous visit to Ystradgynlais on Saturday last, and no more will be said about that except that we can understand their feelings over this set-back."