The Western Mail of 22nd September 1884 reported: "THE NEWPORT CLUB - On Saturday afternoon the members had a friendly game to commence the season. Many spectators were present."

Tom Clapp took over the captaincy for 1984-85 in what turned out to be a good season with Newport winning the South Wales Challenge Cup for the fifth time beating Pontypridd, Risca Stars and Neath in the final.

A large number of new players appeared and one who was to become very famous was Jim Hannan although he appears to have played only 1 game, T. Thomas who had become famous in the 1893 Newport Gymnastic Team who won the UK championship and J. E. Webb who was to play until 1892 for the First and later the Seconds. He was also to win 2 caps for Wales in 1888 and 1889. He had trained with the invincible Newport Schoolboys. The usual formation was a back, 3 three-quarters, two halves and 9 forwards although occasionally 3 halves were tried and even 4 three-quarters !