"WELCOME TO RODNEY PARADE"
"This afternoon we open our Easter programme at Rodney Parade by extending a warm welcome to Moseley. Earlier this season, the Red and Blacks defeated Newport at the Reddings by 27 pts. to 12 pts., so are obviously anxious to obtain the double."
"Formed in 1873, Moseley have contributed over fifty players who have represen¬ted England, including their present Captain, Martin Cooper, Like ourselves, Moseley have had a very inconsistent season by their own high standard, and their exit from the John Player Cup at the hands of Leicester was a major disappointment for everyone connected with the club. Wales 'B' player Malcolm Swain is still playing with great enthusiasm for the club he has served well, while Barry Ayres, Nick Jeavons, Steve King and Richard Akenhead, will still need a great deal of watching."
"Last Saturday, our visitors defeated Northern by 25 pts. to 9 pts. to prove that they are capable of playing fast attacking rugby that one has come to expect from the Reddings during recent years. Fixtures between our two clubs commenced in 1888-89, with the Black and Ambers winning at Rodney Parade by 1 goal, 1 try to Nil, but losing the return game by 2 goals to Nil. Since that far off day, the following is a complete record of fixtures including this season's victory by Moseley at the Reddings:-"
"Period until the 1st World War"
"Played 22 Newport winning 16 Drawn 3 Moseley winning 3"
"Period between the 2 World Wars"
"Played 6 Newport winning 6"
"Fixtures between the two clubs were not resumed after the 2nd World War until the 1971-72 season. Since then the record reads:-"
"Played 14 Newport winning 8 Drawn 1 Moseley winning 5"
"Welcome Moseley, it is certain that you are well aware of the above record, and also that you have only won at Rodney Parade on 2 occasions, 1889-90, 1974-5. May today's game be full of rugby of the highest quality."
"CLUB NOTES"
"The Captain and players were full of praise for the magnificent support they received before, during and after their semi-final versus Swansea last Saturday. They would like to say thank you to all those faithfuls who were at Arms Park, and who let their voices be heard. It was a great inspiration to the team and their disappointment in not reaching the final could be seen on their faces as they sat in the dressing room after the game, completely drained. They had confounded the critics once again, but 'Lady Luck' failed to smile upon us at the vital times and ensure that we would be in the final on April 26th."
"This afternoon we commence a hectic programme that includes four games in six days and with today's visitors and London Welsh on Monday having already defeated us once this season, we will be anxious to avoid conceding doubles and also to improve our record. The selectors are well aware of the pressures that this season's players have been under and it is hoped that everyone will be fit in order that players do not have to be over played. The weather in recent weeks has not been very helpful, as a number of games have had to be put off, which has meant that many players who have come back from injury or suspension lack match practice."
"Mr. Ken Green, Chairman, and his Finance Committee are very pleased with the way the Club's Lottery has taken off and it was pleasing to see Newport Lottery Tickets being sold outside Cardiff Arms Park last Saturday. It is hoped that the venture will prove a great success as the Club's Finances need all the help they can get. The cost of running such a large club is like the country's economy, it is rising all the time. Your help is needed, so why not buy your Lottery Tickets now!!!"
"Campbell Black still has plenty of souvenirs for sale, and if you forget your son, daughter, niece or nephew for Easter, why not get a Newport R.F.C. Mug and Easter Egg priced £1.10 to get yourself out of trouble."
"Please note that the K.O. time for our game versus the Barbarians is 3.00 p.m. and not at our usual time of 3.15 p.m. This is to enable members of the Barbarian Party to catch the London train. It is an ALL PAY game."
"TALKING RUGBY"
"During the week prior to the Schweppes W.R.U. Cup semi-finals, it was interesting to read that Carwyn James had been involved with the coaching of the Llanelli team. Interesting to the fact that a few years ago, Newport Rugby Committee wanted Brian Price to become Club Coach, but were informed by the Welsh Rugby Union that this was not possible, as they considered Brian was a professional due to his accepting money for newspaper articles."
"Earlier this year we read an article in one of our National daily newspapers that John Dawes, as the W.R.U. Coaching Organiser, a paid position, would no longer be able to go on to the field in a track suit and help coach the Welsh Squad. On his appointment to his present position, John not only relinquished his post as Welsh Team Coach, but his place on the Big 5, as he was now considered a professional. Yet in South Africa, Nellie Smith, Coaching Organiser to the South African Board, a professional position, not only coaches the International team but is joined on the Selection Panel by Ian Kirkpatric, who is the professional Coaching Organiser for the Transvaal Rugby Union."
"With Sponsorship now putting so much money into Rugby Union Football, it is vital that the International Rugby Board quickly formulate definite rules governing 'Amateur Status' for there certainly seems to be a great deal of different interpretations on many aspects."
"As well as those mentioned above, it is also difficult to understand the different interpretations that seem to exist with famous players writing books on the game. Some have the money paid into a trust fund for their children, and are still able to coach at representative level, while another has the receipts paid towards a sports clinic but can still play."
"Brian Price was denied the chance of helping the club he had served with such distinction as a player and Captain because of the professional laws as laid down by the International Board. Let's hope that the International Board at their next meeting will ensure that all the anomalies are taken care of so that rugby football can retain it's true Amateur status."