FoNR TALK Newport History of Newport RFC
History of Newport RFC
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Previous:
1960-61
The 1961-62 Season
Next:
1962-63

1961-62 saw the arrival of a player who was to prove to be one of the all time greats of Newport, Wales and British rugby. David Watkins a Welsh Youth international arrived from Cwmcelyn Youth and made the outside half position his own. He proved to be the most exciting player in a team, essentially very strong forward-wise under captain Bryn Meredith. Watkins was well supported by scrum half Bob Prosser, a Cardiff College student. Bryn Meredith magnificently led Newport to the Welsh Championship and was selected for his third British Lions tour. Prop Des Greenslade won his first and only Welsh cap while prop Neville Johnson, second row Brian Price and the back row of Brian Cresswell, Glynn Davidge and Alan Thomas played major parts. Cresswell was replaced by converted centre John Anderson who was so impressive in scoring 10 tries in just 16 games that he was selected for a Welsh trial only to tragically break his leg in the trial. Brian Jones was the strong man of the three-quarters and well supported by wings Peter Rees and Dennis Perrott. The fullback position and goal kicking duties were a concern but Norman Morgan decided to make a comeback. Glyn Davidge was outstanding in scoring 13 tries and was Welsh pack leader under captain Bryn Meredith. He was also rewarded by being selected for the British Lions. Alan Thomas did not miss a game in his first season for Newport made 44 appearances and Brian Jones and Ian Ford made 42 which gave Ian an all time record of 379.

The leading points scorer was Brian Jones with 92pts (15 tries) and leading try scorer was Peter Rees with 17tries.



  • Results
  • Squad
1
Newport
34
- 6Penarth
02 Sep
2
Newbridge
0
- 8Newport
04 Sep
3
Bristol Rugby
11
- 6Newport
09 Sep
4
Neath
13
- 3Newport
16 Sep
5
Newport
22
- 0Pontypool
20 Sep
6
Newport
13
- 3Swansea
23 Sep
7
Leicester Tigers
3
- 9Newport
30 Sep
8
Cardiff
9
- 3Newport
07 Oct
9
Newport
19
- 0Blackheath
14 Oct
10
Newport
17
- 9Llanelli
18 Oct
11
Gloucester
11
- 23Newport
21 Oct
12
Newport
6
- 0Wasps
28 Oct
13
Bridgend
11
- 3Newport
04 Nov
14
Newport
3
- 3Cardiff
11 Nov
15
Cambridge University
14
- 11Newport
18 Nov
16
London Welsh
15
- 16Newport
25 Nov
17
Newport
17
- 3Bristol Rugby
02 Dec
18
Newport
14
- 5Harlequins
16 Dec
19
Newport
6
- 8Abertillery
23 Dec
20
Newport
21
- 11UAU
27 Dec
21
Swansea
6
- 8Newport
13 Jan
22
Newport
6
- 3Coventry
19 Jan
23
Newport
15
- 6Royal Navy
24 Jan
24
Llanelli
6
- 9Newport
27 Jan
25
Oxford University
11
- 27Newport
01 Feb
26
Newport
9
- 6RAF
07 Feb
27
Newport
22
- 10Leicester Tigers
10 Feb
28
Aberavon
0
- 3Newport
12 Feb
29
Cardiff
5
- 0Newport
17 Feb
30
Blackheath
3
- 26Newport
24 Feb
31
Newport
6
- 6Cardiff
03 Mar
32
Wasps
14
- 5Newport
10 Mar
33
Newport
18
- 6Ebbw Vale
14 Mar
34
Newport
14
- 0Aberavon
19 Mar
35
Newport
9
- 0Gloucester
24 Mar
36
Newport
8
- 8Neath
31 Mar
37
Plymouth Albion
6
- 10Newport
07 Apr
38
Devonport Services
0
- 9Newport
09 Apr
39
Exeter Chiefs
3
- 5Newport
10 Apr
40
Penarth
3
- 21Newport
14 Apr
41
Pontypool
3
- 9Newport
16 Apr
42
Newport
9
- 8Cross Keys
21 Apr
43
Newport
15
- 6London Welsh
23 Apr
44
Newport
17
- 8Barbarians
24 Apr
45
Newport
0
- 0Bedwas
30 Apr

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