"WELCOME TO THE PARADE"
"This afternoon's visitors to Rodney Parade first appeared on a Newport fixture list on Boxing Day 1977, when the Black and Ambers defeated the then Cardiff Training College by 47pts to 10pts. Since changing their name to South Glamorgan Institute, they have played here on three occasions, the first being on New Year's Day 1980, when they achieved an historic victory by 20pts to 6pts, the second on 30th January 1982, when they were defeated by 24pts to 7pts in the 3rd Round of the W.R.U. Challenge Cup, and Boxing Day 1982, when the Black and Ambers won by 53pts to 13pts, with a certain Stuart Barnes scoring 25pts and Tony Coombs getting a hat trick of tries."
"Newport, like all other clubs in Welsh rugby - and also some in England - have benefited from the conveyor belt of rugby talent that has been and is being produced from the rugby academy of Cyn Coed. It is impossible to list all those players who have developed throughout the years, under the watchful eyes of Roy Bish and Leighton Davies, but such names as Brian Price, John Jeffrey and Colin Smart readily come to mind, as do David Nash, Clive Rowlands and John Lloyd, who all graduated to coach Wales. This season Rodney Parade has seen the arrival of another two "ex-Students" - Phil Steele and Marc Batten - and everyone is very aware of the impact they have made. Phil is unfortuantely stiil recovering from injury, while Marc, following his successful Wales 'B' debut, is looking for further honours."
"This season's team is maintaining their great reputation for fast, free-flowing, flair rugby and with such outstanding players as Wales 'B' centre and outside-half Kevin Hopkins and Geraint John, together with ex-Wales Schools star Nathan Humphreys at full-back, prolific wing S. McWilliam and scrum half Chris Hutchins, it is understandable. But no team can play without the ball and it is certain that Simon King and his pack are well aware of this requirement."
"We welcome the students and are confident that today's game will really help to maintain the 'Festive Spirit'."
"CLUB NOTES"
"Our fine cup victory over Ammanford, when the whole team demonstrated all the finest skills of attacking rugby, were amply rewarded in the draw for the 3rd Round of the Schweppes W.R.U. Challenge Cup with another home game. Our opponents on 28th January 1984 will be South Glamorgan Institute, and it is certain that they will be keeping a check on our strengths and weaknesses this afternoon through the eye of their very knowledgeable coach, Leighton Davies. They will need no reminding that our two clubs met at the same stage in the 1981-82 competition, with the Black and Ambers winning by 24pts to 7pts."
"Everyone at Rodney Parade hopes that our members and supporters have all celebrated Christmas with a great deal of 'Festive Spirit', and that this afternoon's visit in the fresh air of Rodney Parade will add to your enjoyment. As all this information for our holiday programmes had to be with the printers over ten days ago, we apologise for any duplication of news and would like to inform all the players in the Club that the teams listed in the match programmes for Gloucester, today, Maesteg and Torquay are purely for printing purposes only and in no way reflect the Selection Committee's final decision."
"With the influx of many promising backs into the Club and the dynamic return of Nigel Wilks versus Ammanford, it is hoped that the free-flowing rugby will continue as Captain Michael J. Watkins and Coaches Tony Faulkner and Roy Duggan continue in their quest, with the help of everyone at Rodney Parade both on and off the field, to re-establish the Black and Ambers as a force in Welsh rugby."
"Nigel Callard entered the Royal Gwent Hospital just prior to Christmas for a knee operation that he hopes will enable him to commence playing this season in two months' time. We hope his recovery programme is on time and that he will soon be challenging for a 1st XV place."