"Welcome to the Black and Ambers...."
"Newport arrive at the Oval today on the back of an inconsistent start to their season, A hammering at the hands of Swansea was followed by a superb win against Llanelli last week. Highs and lows are not something that have affected our season to date. Since we narrowly failed to beat Swansea in our opening game the opening two months of the season have been pretty disastrous."
"As we begin the third month of this difficult campaign, we all hope that our fortunes - on both a results and an injuries front - show an improvement against the Black & Ambers today. Newport's officials, players and fans are very welcome visitors to the Rhondda and we very much hope that they enjoy their day."
"Now that the transfer deadline has come and gone, coaches and management throughout Wales are able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. The pressure this last few weeks, I can tell you, has been horrendous. On the back of our poor start to the season, Wales' clubs have obviously, and in many ways, understandably, targeted many of our players. I believe that two comments need to be made. Firstly, that the deadline should be moved to 1st September, thereby forcing players to make a pre-season choice, and allowing coaching staff to finitely plan their approach for a season. Secondly, I would like to thank those of our players, who despite the approaches of multi-various clubs, decided to stay and fight the good fight. Dai Evans especially, has been subjected to enormous pressure to move. That he has not done so is a reflection on his character and loyalty and whilst he is already a favourite with Zebras' fans, Dai is now sure to find himself catapulted into super-hero status. Other players like Andrew Lewis, Ian Davies, and Andrew Thomas have also made the decision to stay, and my thanks too, to them and to all the other squad members for electing to pitch in and battle it out."
"Chris Bridges of course, decided on a move to Neath, despite our considerable efforts to hold on to him. His last minute decision followed his giving us his word that he was staying at two separate players' meetings held just a few days earlier. Many are upset of course, and the player himself will have to live with his decision. Nonetheless, we wish Chris, and all the players who have represented us this last three seasons and moved on, all the best with their new clubs."
"The Fiji game on Wednesday was a tremendous occasion for the club, and for the Rhondda Valleys as a whole. The Fijian tour party were the first ever international touring side to visit Rhondda, and more charming guests you will not find. The final score reflects that we were badly beaten, a fact due to three obvious factors, their excellence, our errors, and the French referee's missing of the odd knock-on and forward pass. For me though, one of the lasting memories will be Seeing the bottom terrace jammed packed with Rhondda school-children, all given half day to come cheer the Rhondda Zebras. That we failed to give them much to cheer will always be a great regret, though their being there helped reinforce one thing in my mind. Whilst many may wish us to fail, no-one more than Rhondda's children stand to lose as much if we do."
"Enjoy the game."
"Neil Hutchings"
"Chairman"
"Treorchy (Rhondda) Rugby Football Club"
"Today's Opponents"
"We offer a warm welcome to the Oval today to the players, officials and supporters of Newport RFC. Today's match marks the Black and Ambers' second visit to Treorchy in seven months, the last occasion being 1st April when the sides met in a Heineken League match. That day, the Zebras ran out winners by 33-13, thus completing the double over the men from Rodney Parade. Full back David Lloyd contributed eighteen points with four penalties and three conversions and tries were scored by Andrew Lewis, Andrew Dibble and Kevin Jones."
"After struggling against relegation for the majority of last season, Newport finished up in eighth place with eighteen points. On the whole, it was a disappointing season for the Black and Ambers but a final surge which saw them gain six points from their last three games, at home to Pontypool and Dunvant and away at Cardiff, saw them rise clear of the relegation zone."
"This season has seen an improvement in the club's fortunes and following last Saturday's impressive 21-8 home win over Llanelli, the club is currently lying in seventh place in the table. Of their eight matches played, they have won five - Aberavon, Abertillery, Bridgend and Llanelli at home and away at Newbridge - drawn one - at home against Neath - and have suffered heavy away defeats at the hands of Pontypridd and Swansea."
"This season's captain at Rodney Parade is No. 8 Richard Goodey and he has around him a squad of players made up of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters. Outside half Gareth Rees will need no introduction - he is an experienced Canadian international who is an accomplished goal kicker. Who will forget his performance for Canada two seasons ago when he kicked his country to victory over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park? Wales 'A' centre Diccon Edwards has recently arrived from Leicester and it will be interesting to see how he settles in to the ways of the Heineken League. He is certainly one to watch for the future. Scrum half Jason Hewlett was signed from Cardiff during the close-season, his path at the Arms Park having been blocked by the established Andy Moore and Andy Booth. He is a fine prospect and will be looking to challenge for representative honours in future years. The experience in the pack is provided by Goodey himself, Welsh international flanker Alun Carter and veteran lock David Waters who last Saturday made his 695th appearance for the Black and Ambers. He also is a former Welsh international and his partnership with fellow-lock Mike Voyle, a Wales 'A' international, ensures that the Newport backs are provided with a continuous flow of quality line-out ball."
"Guest Article"
"ANDY HOWELL"
"Western Mail"
"Jonathan Davies and Jonathan Griffiths back in rugby union from league. Others to follow. Exciting times ahead?"
"Yes - but for whom? Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli, Pontypridd, Neath and Newport? Perhaps."
"Narrow it down a bit further to European terms and it could be Cardiff, Swansea,, Llanelli, Pontypridd. No Newport? There's no doubt today's visitors to the Oval were a major force and have the potential to become one again, but they have lost their way over the last 15 years and are just about hanging on to the tails of the perceived big four."
"Newport's chairman is the admirable David Watkins, the only player to have captained Great Britain at union and league. Not even Jonathan Davies has done that and now he's back in union he will never get the opportunity to match that other famous number ten."
"Watkins knows Newport is in need of a radical overhaul if they are to reach the turn of the century up there with the big boys. By then there will certainly be, at the very least an Anglo-Welsh, maybe a British and Irish, league with a European competition, along the lines of which started earlier this week but greatly expanded."
"Any club not in at the start - that's why Pontypridd are in such a good situation - will get left behind as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Newport want to take steps to streamline their structure but have met opposition from some members of their committee who are seemingly unaware of the future of the game now the television moguls want a slice of the action."
"The Black and Ambers have a chief executive, Keith Minton, but need to do more to attract players and state their intentions clearly. This is no slight on the current coaches and management team - they are all capable and well-meaning people - but Newport need to follow the trend and appoint a paid high-profile coaching supremo."
"They need to move away from the insular approach and political infighting which has dogged them at committee level over the years. A start has been made recently on the playing side with a number of useful youngsters being signed, mainly from Cardiff. They should result in a more accomplished back division which would nicely complement a first-choice pack which is a match for any in Wales."
"What they need to do now is match the burgeoning talent on the pitch off it. Where are the hospitality boxes at Rodney Parade?"
"Welsh rugby needs a strong Newport. It's time they really got their act together."
"Andy Howell"