"NOTES"
"Our four games each season with Cardiff stir our excitement and enthusiasm. Great matches have been played for the best part of a century. A stalemate was experienced some years ago but happily that phase has passed and the last few seasons have produced rugby fitting clubs of our stature, and today we expect a game, local derby or not, to be really first class entertainment.
"Last season Cardiff came out best with a win here and a win at Arms Park whilst we had to be content with a win on this ground and a draw at Cardiff. On October 5th last, we won the opening game of the series at Cardiff, 11 points to 6 points."
"Howard Norris, who was capped against France in 1963 and 1966, leads Cardiff this season. He has had a difficult task because he had to start the season without his "Lions" who had been to South Africa during the summer. His depleted team suffered a string of injuries and the silver lining was dimmed when Keri Jones went north, Barry John and Gareth Edwards' injuries were slow healing, John O'Shea wanted a rest after the strenuous tour and Gerald Davies went up to Cambridge University. Luckily Maurice Richards resumed playing within a few weeks."
"The talented side of the previous season which supplied six "Lions" and headed the Welsh Unofficial Championship from September until Easter and then finished a worthy third to Llanelli and London Welsh was a shadow of its former self. Barry John and Gareth Edwards are not in their selected team for today, due to injury, but with their return Cardiff will be a formidable proposi-sition."
"Dennis Gethin who won his 'Blue' at Cambridge in 1965/66 is an attacking full-back with a deadly boot. He must be a strong candidate for the Welsh XV."
"Last Saturday, Cardiff beat Oxford University 9 points to 6 points."
"Work on the Arms Park extensions has been started and is well under way with the North Stand and West Terrace demolished already. For the time being the ground capacity will be cut by 50%."
"We field a strong XV this afternoon with the adventurous Gordon Britton at full-back, Stuart Watkins (who is hungry for his 100th try) returning to the right-wing and Bill Morris packing alongside Brian Price."
"John Anthony is making good progress and hopes to be available this month. Alan Skirving and John Jeffrey have been selected for fitness tests with the United this afternoon."
"In May and June next year Wales go on a short tour of New Zealand with a match in Australia and Fiji. The prospects of this trip is a glittering prize to players."
"The Newport Rugby Supporters Club are organising a coach trip to Llanelli on November 30th. Please enquire at the office under the score box."
"Members are reminded that application forms for International tickets must be received in the Club Office as soon as possible. The dead-line is November 30th"
"Next Wednesday we have an additional game with Pontypool. The Eastern Valley club have had many frustrations over the installing of their floodlights and now we can congratulate them in this practical manner by taking a Newport XV to celebrate the switching-on for the first time."
"Next Saturday we are home to Leicester."
...... and a programme insert:-
"NEWPORT ATHLETIC CLUB"
"CAR PARKING AND MEMBERSHIP"
"Car Drivers will have noticed the new arrangements for parking inside the ground which operated for the first time at the Penarth match."
"Members will pay no fee, but non members will be charged 2/- on each occasion. We are hoping that members will appreciate these new arrangements which have been introduced for their benefit. It is also hoped that non members will become members and therefore be able to enjoy the full facilities of the Club, including parking their cars and seeing all the matches from a seat in the stand."
"The annual subscription is £3 for a man and £2.10s. for a lady and the application form provided overleaf should be completed and forwarded to the General Hon. Secretary at the Club together with the appropriate remittance. A car label will then be provided and sent with the membership card by return of post. Applications from supporters without cars would also be welcome, who can enjoy the same privileges."
"Existing members can obtain a car label without charge on application to the Club Office giving their car number and quoting their membership number. The inclusion of a stamped addressed envelope would also be of assistance to the office staff. The use of the labels will also facilitate the work of the voluntary gatemen at the Beresford Road entrance in enabling them easily to recognise members cars and for charging 2/- to non members."