History of Newport RFC :: 1874

"Good evening everyone and welcome to St. Helens for this our last home game of the 2002/2003 Welsh League season against our visitors Newport, to whom we extend a warm welcome to their Board, Players, Coaches, Committee and Supporters and hope they have an enjoyable visit to St.Helens. It would be an understatement to say that writing this "Welcome" was not easy having just played Caerphilly and just before we play Llanelli, with the knowledge that many of the players would have possibly played their last game for Swansea not just as a professional team but Swansea Rugby Club. Equally so those of us who have supported the Club for over many years to come to terms with the change and look forward to the future to whatever it might hold, and hope that we will be able to continue to support the "WHITES" as we have done in the past."

"Newport who are equally trying to embrace change will be determined to put their Cup defeat behind them their narrow victory over Pontypridd last Tuesday would have helped their preparations for tonight's game."

"The Black and Ambers will also remember their last visit to Swansea this time last season when their League challenge was dealt a big blow as a consequence of losing at St. Helens. I have commented previously about the need to get behind the team, tonight is your last chance, the players still need your support and no matter how frustrating games might be there are young players, many of whom are new to Swansea Rugby Club, certainly lacking in league experience wanting to do well, lets support them. I would also like thank you sincerely for your support throughout what can only be described as a very long and difficult season for everyone involved, to those Players, Coaches who move onto pastures greener our best wishes, to those Players yet to find new contracts we wish you every success for the future."

"Finally, on behalf of the Club we wish to record our most sincere appreciation for all the years of support that Mr. Malcolm Downes and Dr. Eiddion Davies have given the Club both gentlemen have now retired from their positions as Honorary Medical Officers of the Club, words cannot express our gratitude. Once again I hope you enjoy your evening."

"Byron Mugford General Manager"

"CURRENT MATCH - NEWPORT By Paul Hopkins"

"NEWPORT ARE TODAY'S VISITORS TO ST. HELEN'S FOR WHICH IS AN HISTORIC MATCH FOR THE ALL WHITES WHO PLAY THEIR LAST EVER MATCH AT THE TOP LEVEL OF WELSH RUGBY."

"It is sure to be an emotional occasion for players, supporters, and management alike as they ready themselves for the onset of regional rugby. Despite notable protests over the past week by groups of Newport fans against the proposed change of team name to 'Gwent,' it is looking increasingly likely that they will emerge as the dominant partner in the region with Ebbw Vale taking a back seat role. The Steelmen conceded that all Celtic and European matches should be played at Rodney Parade, but did ensure that the team name would represent the region rather than one club."

"Tony Brown has stressed that by not pursuing stand-alone status like Cardiff and Llanelli have, they have helped avoid the catastrophe of a nine club system next year. In a meeting last month he urged the fans to be patient with the new structure, "I would earnestly ask supporters, who have been very generous with their support in the past, to keep an open mind and give the new entity an opportunity to prove itself". "

"In a season completely overshadowed by rugby politics, Newport have endured a rollercoaster on the field, with a poor Celtic and Heineken Cup showing, but with drastically improved domestic performances. It actually took nine games for Newport to win a match at the beginning of the season, although aside for the thrashing at the hands of Leinster, the other seven matches were close affairs. With only one victory from seven in the Celtic League just two from six in the Heineken Cup, it seemed as if there was no light at the end of the tunnel for Newport's season. Two diabolical performances against London Irish away (5-42) and Toulouse away (18-70) saw many pundits calling for the heads of coaches Leigh Davies [sic - Leigh Jones] and Richard Hill. However, since then, the Black and Ambers have rescued their season with the capture of Percy Montgomery a key factor in the change of fortune. Superb results against Llanelli and a double over Pontypridd has seen them rise to third in the league with a second place finish certainly not beyond them. Wins over Bedwas, Ebbw Vale, and Bridgend set up a Principality Cup Final clash with Llanelli, but the Scarlets made sure the Black and Ambers felt the backlash of their Heineken Cup defeat to Perpignan by comfortably defeating them 32-9. The highpoint of Newport's season is probably the 33-13 win at home to Llanelli, whilst the Toulouse mauling remains a black spot. Newport have faced Swansea twice this season, both at Rodney Parade, with the Whites spoiling Percy Montgomery's debut with a 14-13 friendly win in November when Darren Morris scored the winning try. The league match was an emotional affair as it was the first the Whites played after their plunge into administration. Eighteen points for fly half Jason Strange as well as two tries for Montgomery led the Black and Ambers to a comfortable 43-27 victory. Newport will undoubtedly go into today's match as the favourites to complete a league double over Swansea, and the Whites need a performance similar to the heroic win over Pontypridd a few weeks ago to avoid a heavy defeat."