"CLUB NOTES"
"At least Geoff Evans and his team have no fear of celebrating the centenary season by emulating Jack Wetter's Invincible team, following last Wednesday's defeat by Ebbw Vale. This was our first defeat at home since November 1973, and following the magnificent display against Bristol on the previous Saturday, completely mystifying, and that in no way detracts from a fine Ebbw Vale performance. But perhaps it is better that we will have no unbeaten record hanging like an albatross around our necks, and it is worth remembering that the fine championship winning side of 1968-69 lost their second match of the season versus Bristol. History has a strange way of repeating itself."
"This afternoon B.B.C.2 are tele-recording the game for showing on television later this evening. On all previous occasions when these cameras have visited Rodney Parade, the 'Black and Ambers' have obliged with a sparkling performance. I am certain that we hope for the same today, and would like to extend a warm welcome to Nigel Starmer-Smith and all the other members of the crew."
"Next Wednesday we play the first of our Special Centenary Matches and are looking forward to a big crowd. The President of the W.R.U. has paid us a great honour by selecting such a strong side so try and come along and share in a little history making. Many famous 'old faces' were present at last night's Centenary Banquet, and it is hoped that they will pay frequent visits to Rodney Parade during this historic season."
"Our Youth XV also lost their unbeaten record last Wednesday, to Rumney Youth, so none of our teams has an unbeaten record to worry about."
"WELCOME TO RODNEY PARADE"
"This afternoon we welcome the mighty "All Blacks" from the Gnoll. The oldest first class club in Wales are always welcome visitors and can be depended upon to provide stiff opposition. Under their new captain flank forward Wilson Lauder, who although born in Thornton in Fife, Scotland, is a true "All Black", the team are trying to recapture some of the consistency in the play that has been missing during the last few seasons."
"His team is made up of experience in the form of such fine stalwarts as the 'ever-green' Dai Morris, Glyn Shaw, Martyn Davies and John Poole (a prolific points scorer), and youth in the form of versatile Wyn Davies, Peter Davies and Alan Meredith. A player who will be missed by Neath and rugby supporters everywhere, following his decision to step down from first class rugby is the 'Mighty Atom' Dai Parker."
"Neath have made a tremendous contribution to Welsh rugby over the years and it is certain that the present day players will endeavour to emulate the giants of the past with great enthusiasm."
"Having celebrated their centenary in 1971-72 in great style by becoming the first winners of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup, Neath are certain to be able to give us a few ideas re celebrations, we only hope that they don't start on the field this afternoon."
"Although they lost in Cornwall at the commencement of the season, victories over Abertillery and the South Wales Police have showed that the basis of success is there."
"Welcome Neath! We hope our long and happy association will carry long into the future."
"REFLECTIONS ON NEWPORT"
"by Grahame Hodgson, Neath-Wales-Barbarians"
"To be asked to make "reflections on Newport" as part of the centenary celebrations is an honour and a pleasure, and I thank the club sincerely for the opportunity."
"The work and planning involved in making this year a success is, as we know in Neath, enormous. Unfortunately, no-one can make provision for the outcome of the games to be played this season and so the players have an added responsibility. The success or failure of this season will be judged on the playing record and this is wrong. It is what has gone before that makes this a memorable occasion. The floods of memories that you, the players, officials, committee and members have of the immediate and distant past is what makes this moment special. So it is with me."
"My personal reflections have to begin as a wide eyed schoolboy when my two particular heroes in the Newport side were Garfield Owen and Malcolm Thomas. Garfield, who to me made everything look ridiculously easy, and Malcolm, who had every skill in the book, and produced them with the timing of a master. I was given a taste of this "mastery" as an aspiring young full-back in the early sixties. M. C. Thomas was put away along the left-hand touchline and here was my moment of truth. Suffice to say I ended up with "egg on my face" and Neath were three points down."
"This early impression of the Newport "greats" was to be re-enforced for some time as the club chalked up repeated victories. It was during this time that the private wars with successive Newport fullbacks began. Norman Morgan, to whom I was reserve in the Welsh side, had "legs up to his armpits" and used the left one with deadly efficiency. Barrie Edwards gave to Newport what he was later to give the Ebbw - loyalty. Ray Chaney, who in all honesty caused me more "bother" off the field than on, (though that's another story) has a special place in my reflections. Having been a reserve myself to eight different Wales fullbacks, I know how it is to sit and watch. No-one could have given better support and encouragement to me than Ray even though he wanted that jersey. Rugby football is like that. John Anthony was the talker and we both enjoyed taking each other's game to pieces. Four fullbacks, who were very different but who gave strength to great sides."
"In thinking back, the great characters of Newport begin to emerge. Peter "Powerful Pierre" Rees the wing who would not lie down, and would only admit to being tackled when you put him in the stand. Albeit - rarely. The "big three" Whitson, Davidge and Cresswell and I mean "big". These three had occasion to tackle me all at one fell swoop, on a very wet and grim day at the Gnoll. As we rose out of the mire, these faces close to mine, I could not resist blowing a kiss and saying "Too late" - the ball was in touch."
"To think of David Watkins conjures up two pictures. Firstly, on David's own admission, the hounding he received from Alan Dix, the Neath wing forward, game after game, and secondly the dirt I ate as he "walked" around me in the Final of the Welsh "7's" in Swansea. Then there's Brian Price, a friend and team mate, who while playing in the Middlesex "7's" for St. Luke's gave a superb impression of a "demented camel" in scoring two tries straight from successive kick-offs."
" "Ben", through his superb artistry has left his own reflection in your mind's eye and needs no further comment from me."
"Thus the past gradually ties up with the present, which brings me to Keith Poole. A Newport player who decided that he was going to be around in centenary year and has done so. The guts and determination he has shown over the years is a credit to himself and his club. Every kid who pulls on a rugby boot can take example from this man. You have to work to gain respect - you don't get it on a silver plate."