FoNR TALK Newport History of Newport RFC
History of Newport RFC
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Previous:
1976-77
The 1977-78 Season
Next:
1978-79
1977-78 started with wins over Penarth and Coventry but then followed defeats by Bristol, Neath, Pontypool (end of an 18 month ground record), Gloucester, Llanelli, Moseley, Ebbw Vale and Aberavon. 1978 brought fine wins over Bridgend, Llanelli, Aberavon, Moseley, Neath and Barbarians tempered by losses against Cardiff (twice), Ebbw Vale, Bridgend, London Welsh, Pontypool and Bath.

Newport did rise to the occasion and reached the Welsh Cup Final for the second year running losing to Swansea 9 v 13 in front of 37,500 people at Cardiff Arms Park.

Captain David Burcher was dogged by injury and vice-captain Colin Smart deputised frequently. 41 players were used for the 45 games and most appearances were made by Richard Barrell (37) and Tony Mogridge (36). Gareth Evans was leading try scorer with 14.

Back row Jeff Squire played in all 4 internationals for Wales as they won the Triple Crown. Gareth Evans and scrum-half Brynmor Williams, who had joined from Cardiff, also won Welsh caps.



  • Results
  • Squad
1
Newport
18
- 0Penarth
01 Sep
2
Coventry
17
- 21Newport
03 Sep
3
Newport
19
- 6Bath Rugby
07 Sep
4
Bristol Rugby
13
- 9Newport
10 Sep
5
Neath
24
- 10Newport
17 Sep
6
Newbridge
4
- 10Newport
20 Sep
7
Newport
16
- 13Swansea
24 Sep
8
Newport
27
- 10Cardiff
01 Oct
9
Abertillery
6
- 19Newport
05 Oct
10
Blackheath
7
- 12Newport
08 Oct
11
Newport
13
- 16Pontypool
12 Oct
12
Gloucester
16
- 6Newport
15 Oct
13
Newport
14
- 6Newbridge
19 Oct
14
Newport
25
- 18Wasps
22 Oct
15
Newport
7
- 22Llanelli
29 Oct
16
Moseley
28
- 0Newport
05 Nov
17
Ebbw Vale
3
- 0Newport
09 Nov
18
Newport
13
- 10Pontypridd
12 Nov
19
Newport
31
- 4Llanharan
19 Nov
20
London Welsh
4
- 20Newport
26 Nov
21
Newport
21
- 7Bristol Rugby
03 Dec
22
Aberavon
17
- 4Newport
10 Dec
23
Newport
30
- 3Rhiwbina
17 Dec
24
Newport
17
- 0Gloucester
21 Dec
25
Newport
47
- 0Cardiff College of Education
26 Dec
26
Newport
67
- 0Abertillery
02 Jan
27
Newport
14
- 10Bridgend
07 Jan
28
Newport
14
- 3Abercynon
14 Jan
29
Llanelli
6
- 16Newport
28 Jan
30
Bridgend
11
- 8Newport
06 Feb
31
Newport
9
- 7Pontypridd
25 Feb
32
Newport
3
- 12Cardiff
01 Mar
33
Newport
4
- 6Ebbw Vale
06 Mar
34
Glamorgan Wanderers
12
- 21Newport
11 Mar
35
Newport
17
- 9Aberavon
20 Mar
36
Newport
15
- 6Moseley
25 Mar
37
Newport
10
- 20London Welsh
27 Mar
38
Newport
13
- 0Barbarians
28 Mar
39
Aberavon
6
- 10Newport

01 Apr

40
Cardiff
28
- 9Newport
05 Apr
41
Penarth
3
- 39Newport
08 Apr
42
Pontypool
36
- 7Newport
15 Apr
43
Newport
18
- 0Neath
19 Apr
44
Bath Rugby
15
- 9Newport
22 Apr
45
Swansea
13
- 9Newport

29 Apr

46
Fraser Valley
9
- 26Newport
11 May
47
Crimson Tide
12
- 24Newport
13 May
48
Victoria Presidents XV
6
- 17Newport
17 May
49
Vancouver Presidents XV
3
- 27Newport
19 May

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