From the match programme:-

"WELCOME"

 "This evening we welcome our oldest of friends and rivals in the rugby world to Cardiff Arms Park. Cardiff and Newport have locked horns out on the pitch as long as the game has been played but, as that giant in Black and Amber Brian Price points out elsewhere in this programme, there has always been a mutual respect between us."

 "The only pity is that we will not be facing up to each other again next weekend at the Millennium Stadium. We congratulate Simon Raiwalui’s team on reaching the Principality Cup Final but, for our own part, the wounds are still deep after our semi-final exit. Llanelli are a very good side, there’s no denying that, but our performance against them was far below required standards and supporters rightful expectations. The improvement in recent months had given hope of a real Blue and Black challenge for cup silverware but it counted for nothing against the Scarlets. David Young shares his own conclusions on the matter with you on the following page; suffice to say I would like to apologise on behalf of the team and its management to our supporters for our less than acceptable level of performance on the day."

 "But as always we will need to recover from a this setback and where better to start than here at the Arms Park against the Black and Ambers. Our recent league games against them have never been short of thrills and tries and hopefully there are more to come this evening. On New Year’s Day at Rodney Parade a very young Cardiff side showed what the future might hold as our development system reaped its rewards. All credit to Newport for winning that game by a record margin but we took solace in the displays of John Yapp, Dan McShane, Robin Sowden-Taylor and all the others on duty that evening."

"On the subject of development it is my pleasure to congratulate Cardiff under-2ls on their splendid 28-0 victory over Llanelli in the semi-final of the WRU Under-21 Cup Competition. Mike Rayer tells me that it was one of the best team performances of the season against a club that had beaten them twice in the league. We must now all get behind them when they play the cup final against Swansea, a side that has also been in outstanding form."

"Unfortunately I was not able to see the under-21s’ semi-final victory at first-hand. A Celtic League commitment required me to be in Dublin last week and while away my attention was drawn to an unfortunate report in The Western Mail. Without wishing to give the article more credence than it originally merited, the club immediately contacted the sports editor to point out material inaccuracies concerning the transfer of Craig Quinnell. As my subsequent statement pointed out, I was particularly concerned at the inaccuracies because I have worked proactively with my colleagues in the other premier clubs to establish realistic contractual guidelines for the game in Wales. This is very firmly in my mind as here at the club we are continuing in our efforts to finalise next season’s squad. The other point is that it has never been club policy to debate contractual details in public or indeed to respond to speculation about the make-up of the squad and that is something that will never change. We will, of course, make relevant official statements as and when appropriate."

"Now it’s back to the business on the field of play. We wish Newport all the best in the Principality Cup Final next week but, equally, we must hope for a return to winning ways in the league by the Blue and Blacks this evening."

"Robert Norster"

"Chief Executive"