Newport RFC : 1992/3 Season Summary

Season 1992/3
P40 W22 D0 L18: F960-A787

Premier Lge Record : P22 W11 D0 L11 F513 A512 (Tries 67)

Capt : Glenn George

Newport were shocked when vice capt Paul Turner decided to join Sale as player-coach in August 1992 but there was good news in that Newport legend David Watkins accepted the appointment of Team Manager. David said “I have never lost my affinity for Newport. If I can only give something to the club it is certain this move will be nothing but a success. I am prepared to listen to any spectator of Newport RFC. No-one is too big or small. I am delighted to be back with the club that built my foundations.”

Glenn George captained Newport for a record equalling 5th successive season (following Will Phillips and Geoff Evans) and the coaches this season were Roger Powell, Rhys Morgan and Nigel Callard.

It was a season of mixed fortunes. Hoping to make a strong challenge for league honours they could only manage 7th place out of 12. They were however 4th in the league try scorers with wing Andrew Lewis third in the individual scorers with 16t. Most notable league performances were doubles over Pontypool and Aberavon and wins against Neath and Bridgend but heavy defeats were suffered against Llanelli, Cardiff and Swansea and the only notable non-league win was against London Scottish.

New players this year included future Wales lock Mike Voyle (Ebbw Vale), wing Ian Jeffries (Ebbw Vale), outside-half Dai Rees the former Newbridge caotain who had played nearly 200 games for them, Wales A prop Andrew Dibble (Pontypool), young hooker Gary Hicks and outside halves Paul Hale (Newport HSOB) and Jason Williams (Abertillery).

Three players passed the points century mark- Jon Westwood 212, Andrew Lewis 127 and outside-half Jason Williams 127 with Lewis leading the try scorers with an excellent 25. Appearances were led by Jon Westwood 36, David Waters 35 (giving a career 666) and Andrew Lewis 35.

The Boucher Award went to Mike Voyle and the Webber Award to Simon McCracken. Club badges were awarded to Sean Duggan, Ian Jeffries, Andrew Lewis, Dai Llewellyn, Andy Peacock, Mike Voyle and Jon Westwood and club blazers to Simon McCracken, Keith Orrell and Mark Yendle.

Roger Bidgood played for Wales vs Italy and for Wales A vs Ireland and Holland and was also selected to tour Namibia and Zimbabwe with the Welsh squad while Jon Westwood, Andrew Lewis, David Llewellyn and prop Andrew Dibble were selected to tour France with the Welsh Development Squad. Back-row Alun Carter captained British Colleges throughout the season and Mark Davis was also selected.

NB : Try was increased to 5 pts this season.