"Welcome"
"This evening we welcome Newport back to Cardiff Arms Park. Two months ago the original fixture had to be postponed an hour before kick-off because of a frozen pitch as the long winter again took its toll. Having sampled the first taste of spring a few days ago, we note the the weather forecast for this week predicts snow showers (it wouldn't, would it?!)"
"In the intervening weeks the Blue & Blacks recorded a notable cup victory at Rodney Parade but in the Principality Premiership the Black & Ambers have gone from strength to strength, with an unbeaten record stretching back to the first Saturday in December when they lost to Neath at the Gnoll. They still retain an invincible home record in the league with eleven straight wins and it's worth noting, too, that as the final pecking order for the play-offs takes shape in the next three weeks Newport, currently in third place, have the benefit of home adavantage in the return match against leaders Neath."
"This evening, though, it's a matter of fifth against third and still much to be resolved before the play-off pairings unfold at the end of April. Like ourselves, Newport performed admirably in the British & Irish Cup and, like ourselves again, narrowly missed qualification for the semi-finals (more of that on page 15). While opinions of the merits of the embryonic cross-border competition may vary, there can be little doubt that it did add some spice to our domestic club rugby. The Black & Ambers can proudly point to a resounding home win against aspiring Guinness Premiership club, Exeter Chiefs, and Cardiff did well against the likes of Rotherham, not to mention an always welcome win against Ponfypridd in unusual circumstances."
"One criticism - and it's a major one - is that the final pool matches were staggered over the course of a week when they should all have been played on the same day at the same time as qualification for the knock-out stages was at stake. As we have said before, the curse of the Celtic countries, whereby the Magners League and Principality Premierhip powers-that-be, to give two examples, seem incapable of delivering final day fixtures at the same time, has now afflicted the ambitious B & I Cup as well. (And, as a footnote, how sad it was to see that Aberavon, travelling to Ulster for an evening kick-off in that protracted last week, suffering the double indignity of three yellow cards and a 60-point hammering.)"
"We are now well and truly into a hectic run-in to the completion of the regular fixtures before the play-offs. This Saturday the Blue & Blacks travel to Aberavon and then it's another rearranged league match at Cross Keys next Wednesday followed by two home fixtures in quick succession against Llanelli and the return match, again an earlier postponement, against the Wizards. And, of course, the team's impressive progress in the Swalec Cup guarantees even more exciting rugby in the weeks ahead. With a bit of luck, it won't snow."
"Enjoy the rugby!"