"For my penultimate notes of the season, I decided to dip into our rich history to come up with a link between Aberavon and Newport. I settled on November 22nd, 1924 - the date of our first win at Newport. Evening Post journalist, Bill Taylor (the Rover), had made the odd reference to Aberavon being "Wizards of the West" following the deeds of Johnny Ring from 1921 onwards. But they lived up to that nickname at Rodney Parade nearly 70 years ago. In his preview of the game Bill used a conversation between the chief Wizard and an assistant from Sandfields. The head Wizard said to the Aberavon version: "I see before me a vision of wonderful success. You will go from victory to victory. But you will go to Newport rejoicing and come back sorrowful!" The head Wizard got it half right. Aberavon, who won the Welsh championship for the first time in 1922/23, went on to win the title for four consecutive years. But his Newport prediction was wrong as Aberavon put on one of the finest displays in their history to win 10-9. The nick¬name "Wizards of the West" became extensively used after this victory! A first victory at Newport was achieved by tries from Lew Jenkins and scrum half Shon Thomas - who outshone current Welsh incumbent Jack Wetter. The two conversions were made by an interesting character, centre Dai Hunt Davies. He had part of a foot shot off during World War I but played with a specially protected boot. Along with Tommy Parker, Dai was instrumental in setting up wings Johnny Ring and Charlie Rowlands for the majority of their tries. Dai made his Aberavon debut in 1919 and just when it appeared as if he would be one of those unlucky players who would miss out on international honours, he gained his one and only cap in a losing Welsh side against England at Swansea in 1924. In the last programme I listed Aberavon's top try scorers of all time. I was recently given a book called 'Sports Lists' which has come up with the idea of naming dream sided for various teams. Based purely on top try scorers in each position in Aberavon's history, this is what I came up with: 15 Wynford Lewis; 14 Johnny Ring; 13 Jack Thomas; 12 David Thomas; 11 Charlie Rowlands (replaced by John Collins!); 10 Cyril Jones; 9 Ray Giles; 1 Phil Morgan; 2 Billy James; 3 Clive Williams; 4 Adrian Owen; 5 Ned Jenkins; 6 David Condon; 8 Walter Vickery; 7 Peter Jones. People tell me I am a day dreamer, but I wouldn't mind seeing that side running out today even if some of them played for Aberavon before I was born!"
"Newport, like Aberavon, are searching for that magic formula that will transform their fortunes and place themselves once again in the forefront of Welsh rugby. Both clubs have their noses pressed up against the window-pane while the top five Welsh clubs are in the shop window, seems a fair analogy of their current status. Newport's season has also taken the same course as that of Aberavon - the odd glimmer of hope tinged with general disappointment. Newport began by suffering a shock 12-7 defeat against Division One fledglings Dunvant. They have gone on to win six league games. At home they beat Cross Keys (23-20); Aberavon (30-6); Dunvant (13-9) and Llanelli (22-14). On the road they won at Pontypool (35-21) and Cross Keys (13-7). They achieved a 17-17 draw at home to Newbridge, but a 14-5 home defeat against Pontypool sparked a Pooler revival and without that win they would probably be in Division Two now. Newport, who have recently signed Canadian fly half Gareth Rees, have lost their last five league games, but they gave championship chasing Swansea an almighty fright before conceding a 27-22 victory last time out. Aberavon last beat Newport at home 21-12 in 1989/90. They have yet to beat Newport in the Heineken League."
"Tony Poole"