"COACHES CORNER"
"In the press recently, there has been a great deal of speculation about the selection by the Welsh Rugby Union of four "super clubs" for the futuristic British and/or European leagues. Geographically, it would seem sensible to nominate a team from East Wales and one to represent West Wales, as well as two leading Cubs from between these two extremities. To merely select four teams on their current strength would be erroneous as Club success in rugby, as in all sports moves in cycles. Had a British league been proposed ten years ago, Neath would have been a strong candidate and Pontypridd not even considered. Furthermore, in my playing era, Aberavon was a formidable foe - a side laced with numerous internationals and certainly at that time competitive enough to defeat most English Cubs. In fact, Aberavon as a Club owns its own ground and who through prudent housekeeping is in as strong a financial position as any Club in Wales - but will they be invited to join the British league? Indeed, the criteria for selection must involve several factors: accessability, facilities, potential public support involves commercial structure, playing and coaching strength, a sound youth development programme, etc. Always assuming that the selection of four teams is the correct way to go, could it not be based on meritocracy with promotion and relegation for Welsh Clubs; but in fact could it not be the Allied Dunbar Clubs who might decide the league's format and not the W.R.U. Personally, I firmly believe that the Gwent clubs must positively support the W.R.U. and continue the dialogue between the two parties, but in the meantime Newport must structure its own future and not be too concerned about factors that are outside our control. The fact is NO ONE really know what is going to happen."
"Last Saturday at Bridgend, players, management and supporters alike must have been bitterly disappointed with the result. The team was capable of winning at the Brewery Field but there again how many teams actually feel comfortable playing away at Bridgend. They also are a proud and competitive Club and will always provide strong opposition for most Welsh Clubs."
"Despite the defeat, there is a good positive spirit within the current squad of players. It is an accepted fact in any side that individuals, no matter how talented, must accept that the team must take precedence. Players must function within the framework of the team's discipline and must never in any way undermine the collective effort. I will always preach the gospel that the essence of a successful side is fifteen individuals (and all other squad members), having a common focus and pooling their energies for the good of the team ! ! ! Let us hope that this philosophy shows forth today ! !"
"the South Wales Argus"
"By Robin Davey"
"(Chief rugby writer South Wales Argus)"
"NEWPORT have managed just one league victory this season, against today's visitors Aberavon - and they must double that tally if they are to have any chance of making progress."
"Newport have had to come to terms with being put back into the Premier Division at short notice when they had planned for a season in a lower division."
"They have brought in an influx of new players from New Zealand, Canada, England and Wales. They have now had the opportunity to settle in with matches in the European Shield, so the time has come to start delivering on the league front."
"They failed to do that at Bridgend last week when the narrow defeat followed a pattern set this season. That is a mould which has to be broken against Aberavon today. And after that Newport go to Neath next week, to Caerphilly on Boxing Day and then entertain Ebbw Vale on January 2nd."
"These are all games Newport are capable of winning, and they cannot afford any more slip-ups or any more narrow defeats. They simply have to deliver."
"Clearly there are those traditionalists who say Newport have to be one of the Welsh representatives in a British League based on the performances against all the major touring teams and their standing in the game. But that is an argument which is wearing increasingly thin, given the team's lack of success in recent years. Had it not been for the decision of Cardiff and Swansea to break away and play cross-border friendlies in England, Newport would now be in the First Division."
"Despite the arrival of new players and new officials, plus greater stability brought in by a new board, the results are not coming. It is difficult to justify British League status on the back of a string of defeats. The losing streak simply has to end, and there is no time like the present."
"TODAY'S VISITORS . . ."
"Welcome Back Promoted Aberavon"
"By Willis Huntley"
"Aberavon, today's visitors to Rodney Parade, did their utmost to finish at the top of the First Division of the Wales National League last season, but Caerphilly were more consistent and too strong for all but three of their opponents."
"Aberavon, however, finished second and made preparations for another stay in the First Division. Then came the departure of Cardiff and Swansea from Welsh league rugby, a move which prompted the Welsh Rugby Union to promote Aberavon to fill one of the vacancies."
"Like Newport, who were also saved from relegation, Aberavon had little time to revise their playing resources, and it is not surprising that they are finding it difficult to make much progress in the top division."
"Yet there was a time when Aberavon were a power in Welsh club rugby, and twice they reached the final of the Welsh Cup, losing each time to Llanelli. They were also Welsh unofficial champions one season."
"Aberavon's history is full of achievements of their players, four of whom were British Lions. That quartet were Welsh internationals Allan Martin, Clive Williams, John Bevan and Rory O'Connor."
"Of course, so many other Aberavon players were capped by Wales that lack of space prevents me compiling a list of them, but among them were Cliff Ashton, Ian Hall, Kevin Coslett, Les Keen and Ray Giles. England, too, called upon the services of an Aberavon player: he was George Vickery, who played for England against Ireland many years ago."
"Colin Laity, the much travelled Cornishman, has left Aberavon for Neath and Richard Jasper has joined Caerphilly; but Aberavon made a notable signing, Crispin Cormack, from Pontypridd - a versatile back, though his best position is at full back. He is also a reliable goal kicker."
"Newport inflicted a heavy defeat on Aberavon earlier in the season, but Ian Greenslade and his team are determined to make full amends for that disappointing performance in today's match."
"SUPPORTER'S VIEWPOINT"
"BY PAUL WILLIAMS"
"After a fortnight's rest from club rugby watching the National side play so well in the two matches against South Africa and Argentina, we are faced with a 'must win' match against the side immediately above us in the table, Bridgend. Our captain has gone into print saying "If we cannot beat Bridgend, we have more problems than we thought" - brave words."
"So off we go, by train, car and by bus, a full one I might add, optimism in the air, almost a full squad to pick from, surely this is the beginning of our revival, after all the positive thoughts aired by the players and coaches, we are going to win."
"Alas, as I write this report from rny sickbed - not only I caught a massive cold at the brewery field, we were made to endure another abject performance from our side, total naievety abounded, we actually played to our potential for fully five minutes at the beginning of the second half, and then proceeded to inflict another heartbreaking capitulation on the supporters, who outnumbered the home fans, surely we deserve better than this."
"We're scoring an average of three of four tries per match, and still losing. Our forwards seem to have turned from tigers to pussy cats, not being able to dominate any pack, as yet. Problems, we've got them, all the supporters know where, Allan Lewis you have to address them quickly or we will have another season of total under achievement. Yet again, we have been mooted as a super league club, yes we have everything a super league side needs, except for a winning side."
"We cannot be doing ourselves any favours with all the sub standard performances we are producing."
"Newport supporters want to be part of the league, if there is to be one, we deserve as much. We want to be the flagship for this area, to have the best sides in Britain coming to Rodney Parade again, to be able to compete with them on equal terms, lets have the people of Newport hanging from the rafters, as they used to, cheering this great club."
"I, as an ardent supporter am realistic enough to know that we need even more recruits, lets get them before it is too late."
"Having just read we have drawn Swansea away in the S.W.A.L.E.C. cup, if we get past Llanharan, that just about compounds our luck, the only premier side to have another major side in their group."
"Onto today's game against Aberavon, who have improved considerably since the last time we played them. To say we need a win today is a massive understatement, we HAVE to win and well."
"PAUL WILLIAMS"