History of Newport RFC :: 1874

FoNR TALK Newport History of Newport RFC

	Newport RFC	Swansea
Points *
Tries	6	0
Conversions	0	0
Penalties	0	0
Drop Goals	0	0
Goals From Mark	0	0

Venue	Home
Game Category	Official
Attendance	unknown
Referee	Mr. Trew

The South Wales Daily News reported the match as follows on 12th November 1877:-

"NEWPORT v. SWANSEA.- This match, which had been looked forward to with considerable interest by the lovers of the manly sport, came off on the Newport ground on Saturday, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, and consequently the heavy nature of the ground. There was a numerous attendance of the public. The Swansea team was under the command of Mr. F. Meagre, as captain, who was assisted by Mr. Chambers, formerly the recognised captain of the club, with Mr. Warren as umpire, the team being its full strength of 15. From the stamina of the men it was clear that they were heavier than the Newport team, and from the first it was felt that the game would be well contested. Newport won the toss for sides, and Swansea consequently had the first kick off. In the play it was seen that the Newport men were faster than the Swansea team, and this proved to be more than a match for the weight of Swansea. In the result Newport was victorious in every point, as although no goal was made, yet Newport gained five tries and compelled Swansea to touch down three times in self-defence. This adds another laurel to the series of victories which have been won in this favourite game by the Newport Club. Although an opinion prevailed that the team was a picked one from the county of Monmouth, we are authorised to state that every one who played is a bona fide member of the Newport Club. Their names are as follows:- Forwards, W. Phillips, George Hoskins, jun., R. Loans, - Julius, Josiah Richards, Ponsfort, T. Lewis, and Arthur Goss; quarter-backs, T. Spittle and A. Cross; half-backs, Alfed[sic] Goss and Charles Newman; three-quarter backs, J. M. Wood and C. Phillips; back, T. B. Jones. Mr. Trew acted as umpire."

* There was no points system in place prior to 1890-91. Instead, a game was determined by the number of goals scored (conversions, dropped goals, and later, penalties). If a try was scored, an opportunity to convert the try into a goal was given. If the goal was kicked successfully, the try no longer counted.

For these games, the number of Tries are shown under 'Tries', and Goals are shown under 'Conversions'. Drop Goals and Penalties are shown in the normal way.