The following report was carried in 'The Cardiff Times & South Wales Weekly News' of 7th December 1878:-
"FOOTBALL"
"THE SOUTH WALES CHALLENGE CUP."
"BRECON v. NEWPORT.- The first tie which Newport has had to play in defence of the South Wales Challenge Cup, took place on Thursday, on the ground of the latter, between the teams mentioned. The weather was favourable, but the ground was not in a good condition. It is estimated that about 700 spectators were within the enclosure, whilst many occupied available positions on the outskirts. Newport won the toss, and Roche, the captain of the Brecon club, kicked off. It is unnecessary to sketch the playing, inasmuch as the result shows that the Newport team had the match all in their own hands. At the close the score stood as follows:- 6 goals, 11 tries, and 19 touch-downs in self-defence. Spittle obtained 6 of the tries, Rosser 4 Moggridge 3, W. Phillips 1, A. Goss 1, Llewellin Evans 1, Harding 1, total 17, out of which six goals were kicked, Moggridge kicking 4, Ponsford 1, C. Phillips 1. The Newport team were - C. Phillips back; Moggridge and Thompson three-quarter-back, G. Rosser half-back, Newman and Spittle quarter-back. W. Phillips (captain) W. Ponsford, G. Harding, E. Jenkins, A. Goss, H. Lyne, Ll. Evans, J. Boddington, and A. C. Phillips, forwards; R. Mullock, umpire. The Brecon team were W. C. Luck, back; W. Evans and Howe half-back; D. Price and W. Tudor quarter-back, F. Roche (captain), J. Wilkins, A. Games, J. W. Games, T. Davies, J. Morgan, W. Rees, W. Parry, W. James, W. Jones, forwards; J. H. Young, umpire."