From the match programme:-
"CLUB NOTES"
"Since the inception of the Newport Schools Rugby Union, they have provided the Newport Rugby Club with many players who wore the Black and Amber jersey with distinction. This Union is not subsidised by the Gwent Education Committee, but relies on sponsorship and the generosity of the public. This afternoon the collection being taken at the entrances - to avoid bothering spectators at half-time - is on their behalf. Please give generously!!!"
"Town rugby is played at under-11, under-13, under-14 and under-15 level. For the last two years the under-13s and 14s have remained unbeaten, while the under-15s had four boys in this seasons Welsh trials. Alex Laurie gained selection versus Italy and Scotland, while Tony Martin was a substitute. This season the under-11s pioneered floodlit rugby and had two players in the East Wales team who played West Wales at the National Stadium"
"The schoolmasters who devote their spare time to organising and coaching these boys deserve every congratulation. They are doing a great service to Newport and rugby in general. Members and supporters will have a chance to see the quality of their products in this afternoons curtain-raiser, Duffryn v. St. Josephs, for the under-12s K.O. Cup. Give them all the vocal support possible. Another date for your diary is the 30th April, when the Newport Schools Sevens Finals will be played at Rodney Parade, commencing at 6 p.m."
"All thoughts are now concentrating on the 'Sevens" and who will represent the Black and Ambers as they strive to recapture the Snelling trophy. Many names have been mentioned, including the following: Jeff Martin, David Burcher, Gareth Evans, Clive Jenkins. Alan Evans, Geoff Evans, Jeff Watkins, Bryan Lease, David Ford, Jeff Squire, Kevin Williams, Steve Willis. But it is certain that no matter who is selected they will realise that it is going to take a great deal of hard work if the cup is going to come back home."
"WELCOME TO RODNEY PARADE"
"When the Barbarians announced their side to tour America and Canada during May, members and supporters were hoping that they would be selected for this seasons Welsh tour. These hopes have been realised, for, in keeping with their tradition, "the club without a home" have brought all the selected players on tour. The full party contains some of the most exciting names in British rugby, and no matter what the final composition of this afternoons team is, we are certain to see rugby football of the highest quality."
"Newport first played "the Barbarians" in 1892-93, winning by 8 pts. to 3 pts. Since then the clubs have met on 67 occasions, with the following results: Newport 43, Barbarians 23, with two being drawn. In 1972-73 "the Ba - Baas" were victors by 60 pts. to 15 pts. (this was the sixtieth tour of the then Barbarian President, Brigadier Glyn Hughes), while Newports largest victory was in 1920-21, by 39 pts. to nil."
"The honour of playing for the Barbarians is considered a close second to representing ones country. Selection is not only based on a players playing ability but also on his sportsmanship. Their motto: "Rugby football is a game for gentlemen in all classes, but never for a bad sportsman in any class." is very much adhered to by their selection committee. All first-class rugby players some time during their playing careers complain bitterly that many of the men "who hold the destiny of their playing future in the palm of their hands" have no playing experience at the top level. The Barbarians cannot be accused of this, for their "Alikados" under President Herbert Waddell (a former Scottish International and British Lion) contains many men who gained the highest honours on the field of play."
The Western Mail reported the game as follows on the following day:-
"Newport machine slams Baa-Baas by record margin"
"Newport 43pts., Barbarians 0 : By J. B. G. THOMAS"
"NEWPORT PLAYED magnificently in the sunshine at Rodney Parade yesterday and, in achieving victory by four goals, four tries and a penalty to nil, gained their biggest victory over the Barbarians since the sides first met in the 1892-93 season, passing the previous best of 39 in 1920."
"It was the success of a team, playing with perfect cohesion, against a battle-scarred scratch side that just could not win enough possession."
"So confident and accurate were Newport that the Barbarians went down to defeat for the fourth time this Easter in Wales, and this was the first occasion for them to suffer such a misfortune."
"One had sympathy for them in their plight, made far worse this Easter by the delayed decision of the Rugby Football Union to allow replacements, which would have helped them at Penarth, Cardiff and Swansea and even yesterday, when Tom David had to have several stitches in a cut head and return to the field instead of being able to retire."
"Next season it will be different, and the Barbarians and their hosts will be much happier, but there is one underlying lesson behind the tour which should be highlighted. First it becomes increasingly hard for scratch sides to play against the leading Welsh clubs, who are now coached and prepared far better than they used to be."
"Secondly, Welsh players appear to be better marshalled in the arts of ball winning from the set-pieces and the loose which, on this tour, has cut off the supply of the ball to the Barbarians. It was highlighted yesterday when a pack containing six internationals could win little ball from a Newport eight playing like a machine."
"Repeatedly the Barbarians lost the ball when they had possession at the creation of the ruck and maul, and no side can hope to win unless they can gain possession from these important phases. One accepts the fact that Newport were extremely well drilled In their display and have a big and fast pack which earlier in the season themselves found difficulty in winning enough ball against the Australians."
"The front row was compact; Lyn Jones and Jeff Watkins dominated the lineout, and the lively back-row hunted and chased throughout. Indeed, when one considers there was no international player in the Newport pack, it does speak well of the strength of Welsh forward play. However, there are some players in this Newport side who could bring honours back again to their club in the near future."
"Handle"
"It is difficult to play and defend, against a side wining the ball as regularly as did Newport, and so easy for a competent back division to run and handle easily and accurately, when they can set their minds to the task of attacking."
"The Newport defence was rarely under pressure and consequently full back Leighton Davies was able to act as an extra attacker; a job he did very well. Gareth Evans in the centre and Jeff Martin on the wing ran strongly while scrum half Alun Evans was kept busy feeding his backs and kicking on cleverly in attack."
"Leighton Davies finished with 15 points to make his tally 180 in 23 matches to prove his usefulness to the club."
"Colin Smart is a quiet but effective leader and England could well use him, while the Welsh selectors can keep Gareth Evans, Jeff Squire and Bryan Lease in their minds tor the national squad next year. A word of praise, too, for coach John Ryan who has motivated his "Express" to second place in the Western Mail championship this season. A modest fellow, he can feel proud of his efforts."
"The Barbarians need not feel too downhearted, as the law of averages were at work this Easter. In 1973 they beat Newport 60-15 and it is quite interesting to record how many records are broken in meetings between these two historic clubs."
"Yesterday they had a scratch side and the two Penarth players, who did so well on Good Friday, had an unhappy day, while Allan Martin played a lone hand at the lineout and Tom David a lone role in the loose. Fijian Tikoisuva at outside half had little or no chance to show his skill while Kent and Finlayson tried in the centre and Geoff Richards at full back, but for one lapse, worked hard. Next year it may be different as this was the unluckiest of Easter visits in the manner of injuries."
"For the record Newport, like a well-timed machine, scored 21 points in the first half and 22 in the second, and some of their scores were excellent and others easy. In the first half Terry OGorman, Geoffrey Evans and Leighton Davies scored tries, with Leighton Davies converting all three and kicking a penalty."
"After the interval Jeff Martin (2), Colin Smart, Gareth Evans and David Burcher collected tries, with Davies converting one. An impressive performance, and a reminder to Pontypridd that they cannot falter in the Championship."
"Barbarians: G. Richards (Wasps): P. Helmore (Penarth), A. Finlayson (Cardiff and Wales), C. P. Kent (Rosslyn Park), M. A. C. Slemen (Liverpool and England); P. B. Tikoisuva (Harlequins and Fiji), D. John (Penarth): J. M. Broderick (Coventry), P. d A. Keith-Roach (Rosslyn Park), G. Mackenzie (Highland), A. J. Martin (Aberavon and Wales), A. Tomes (Hawick and Scotland), T. P. David (Pontypridd and Wales), G. Adey (Leicester and England), A. Neary (Broughton Park and England, capt.)."