From the match programme:-
"Cardiff v. Newport"
"SATURDAY, 1st OCTOBER, 1988"
"KICK-OFF 3.00p.m."
"Off we go then into the second month of what is proving to be rather a momentous season. The word momentous, unfortunately however, refers to the scenario off the field rather than the activities on it. Here we are with only one unbeaten team amongst the top clubs in Wales which appears to be a true reflection of the mediocrity of the state of the game in our neck of the woods at the present time."
"From our own point of view we have yet to get our strongest team on the field because of unavailability, injury, and other niggling factors. In spite of this situation we have got off to a better start than that of last season in terms of points scoring. During September last year we won only three out of eight games played whilst scoring 113 points. This included a total of sixteen tries. Our current record for September sees four of seven games won with a points tally of 173 which includes 31 tries, practically double that of last year. Come the day when we can field a full strength side then, it gives a quiet confidence perhaps of what we could achieve. Mind you we will need it over the next few months judging from the strength of the opposition in October and November. Amongst our visitors during that period will be top English clubs Harlequins and Leicester but it will also include a couple of awkward away games on Wednesday evenings against Bridgend and Pontypridd. At the end of this month then we should have a far better idea of our prospects for the remainder of the season."
"In the meantime though the controversies still rage. Mind you Welsh Rugby is not alone in this aspect by a long long way. Mr. Ben Johnson seems to have committed the sporting indiscretion of all time and the Australian and Pakistan Cricketers appear to be playing in anything but a lovey-dovey atmosphere."
"Let's hope then, particularly from the Welsh Rugby point of view, that good honest communication coupled with a common sense approach can bridge the ominous gaps that seem to be disrupting the system. After all, in just twelve months we will have the mighty All Blacks treading Welsh soil once again. And that is another story is it not."
"On to this afternoon then and it gives us the greatest of pleasure to extend a warm welcome to our oldest friendly enemy - Newport. The game this afternoon will stretch the series to 357 encounters by reference to our records. Newport's archives show a different story however and accordingly they maintain that the series will mark a total of 365. Now there's a nice job for some statistical buff, sort that out. Whichever is the case it's certainly by far and away the record because our next most played opponents are Swansea with 257, a hundred games behind. This massive total is of course attributed to the fact that between 1887 and 1976 we regularly played each other on four occasions per season."
"It all began (as far as our records are concerned) on December 2,1876 when the Cardiff Club as we know it today played its first ever competitive game. That inaugural season only consisted of five games. The first of these was an internal affair when the Captains' XV played the Vice Captains' XV. Four other games then ensued against Newport away, Swansea home, Merthyr home and finally Newport again at home. Both the Swansea and Merthyr games were won but the Usksiders won both the other games."
"I did wonder if the players participating in that first ever game realised what a chain of events they were instrumental in creating that day. The first ever meeting of clubs has something of aura attached to it and throughout the 112 years of competition this quality has never deserted a Cardiff v Newport game. Regardless of the form of one side or the other the occasion seems to bring out the proud traditions of both clubs and victory becomes a long cherished commodity. The crowds seemed to be insatiable too because they used the turn up in their droves for each occasion. Indeed it is quoted in Newport's history that during what was known as Roy Burnett's reign between 1944 and 1959 the club had over 20,000 in the ground on some seven occasions. Of those occasions Cardiff provided the opposition no fewer than five times. The record gate at Rodney Parade for a game is 31,000 v South Africa in 1952 but for a normal club match it's Cardiff again with 27,000 attending the game in March 1951. Then of course, there was that game atThe Arms Park in February 1951 when 48,500 spectators were present. So it certainly appears that the fans could not get enough of it."
"For the record, of the 356 games played we have won 170 to Newport's 129 with a very big complement of drawn games - 57. We have totalled 2967 points to Newport's 2258."
"Last year Newport had a very disappointing season with only 18 wins from 51 fixtures. It must be said, though, that they had wicked luck with injury problems and for practically the wholeseason at least a third of their top players were unavailable due to long term injury. This season results have only produced three wins from their eight games."
"The latest of these wins was against Cross Keys last Wednesday evening. In spite of the heavy conditions the Black and Amber's victory by 34 points to 9 was their best performance of the season. Outside-half Gary Abrahams kicked 14 points in that total and Newport hope that he will score many more points with the boot. This aspect of their game was not very good last season as only 59 of their 141 tries were converted and only 58 penalties were successful."
"However, new skipper Glen George (at 23 is he Newport's youngest ever?) is convinced that once they get their act together up front they will be there with the best of Wales. They certainly have a mass of experience to call on at forward with the likes of Rhys Morgan and David Waters still going strides. The former of that pair now has 500 plus games to his cerdit while the latter is not far short of the 500 mark. Along with a lot of young talent now on their playing strength, coaches Jim McCreedy and Keith James are hopeful that Newport's performances will soon again be in the top bracket."
"A win in Cardiff today would do that aspiration the world of good because such a result on Cardiff Arms Park has eluded them for some twelve years with their last victory on our ground coming in March 1976. Mind, they did beat us next door in our centenary season 1976-77 in The Scheweppes Cup Final. This put the block on what would have been a marvellous climax to that particular celebration."
"To Newport then it's welcome again to Cardiff on this your 178th visit to The Arms Park."
"For today's game we would also like to welcome M. A. Ceccon an exchange referee from France. We hope he enjoys his day."
"Chris Collins and his Rags side are going great guns these days and have got some hefty victories tucked under their belts. Of the nine games played The Rags have won eight and lost just the one to a very much heavier Bristol United side. Points wise they have amassed 238 points with 110 against. They have scored 30 points or more on three occasions and nearly hit the 50 against Garndiffaith when they scored 49 points. They had a tough game last Wednesday however against Kenfig Hill before running out winners by 11 points to 7. Due to the bad weather the game was transferred to Sophia Gardens and it was very encouraging for Chris and his boys to see quite a few faithful followers braving the elements to cheer them on."
"Regarding off the field activities, I bet Mrs. M.Jones of Cyncoed, Cardiff is very happy about joining our Lottery. She is the recipient of a brand new mini (car not skirt) from this month's draw. And all for only £6 per month. There are still some tickets spare before the cut off figure of 2000 is reached so don't delay - join today. Details can be found elsewhere in this programme."
"Finally it only remains to offer our grateful thanks to Edward Davies Holdings today's match sponsors. We sincerely hope that Mr. Robert Davies and all his guests will have a very enjoyable day."
"P.N."