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From Current & Former Players 'I am still a member of the Black and Ambers former players association and attend matches occasionally but reconciling the enjoyment of the social side of such events and travelling home afterwards can be a problem!''Having moved from Newbridge to Abergavenny about 34 years ago put me largely out of touch with the club to which I owe so many of the great memories that I have of the game and the friends that I made. Although I had previously played for Newbridge (first at the age of 15) and Pontypool, to whom I owed my job as a schoolmaster at West Monmouth School, it was at Newport that I had the opportunity, through playing with such illustrious team mates, that I had the great honours of playing for Wales and the Barbarians.' 'There were three of us from Newport in the Baa Baa's team that beat South Africa at Cardiff in 1961, Brian (BJ) Jones, Brian Price and myself. To play at that time with such people of the calibre of Tony O'Reilly, Ron Dawson, Sid Millar and Keith Woods' father (Gordon) was wonderful. I am sure that I was able to enjoy such times because I was playing for Newport in one of their outstanding periods.' 'Had I lived nearer to Newport, I would certainly have become involved with the club after my playing days and thus stayed more in touch with old players and friends in the club where my affections lay.' 'The club has given me many great memories. I look forward to meeting with you all in the future.' W.R. ‘Billy’ Watkins (85 games, 7 tries) |