In 1971-72 Bassaleg Grammar School had one of its most successful Rugby 1st XV's. Team Members decided that contact should be maintained and hence a tour to Cornwall was arranged for the following April.
On April 17th, 1973, Bassaleg Grammar School Old Boys made their debut at Falmouth with Robert Morris scoring the club's first try in a 19-13 win.
The tour was such a success that it was repeated the following year with Newport players Clive Jenkins and Tony Mogridge appearing for the Old Boys at Lanner on Tuesday and travelling home to play for Newport at Gloucester on Wednesday evening. Needless to say, they returned on Thursday for the remainder of the tour!
During that tour a number of the party intimated that more fixtures should be played with the result that 21 were arranged in 1974-75. This progreesed to 46 games in 1975-76.
The club then continued with the Morris and Johnson brothers aided by forwards Mark Kilbane, Martine Corne and David Jeffries as the core of the side but over the period also lost some key players. However, the club generated a mixture of new members from the legal fraternity and the Fugitives Cricket Club.
...Games were won, but the notorious “Whitehall Incident” with two players being sent off and the referee assaulted culminated in Bassaleg Old School Boys disbanding and the birth of Rogerstone RFC in September 1982.
Through the efforts of Councillor and second row forward Ian Tutton, the club obtained funds from the council and established Cefn Wood as its home ground.
England full back Jonathan Callard appeared 15 times for the club in 1982-83 whilst still at school.
At that time the club was renowned for the excellence of its back play with the Jenkins brothers (Clive and Alan) outstanding. Clive scored 38 tries in 51 games, Alan 46 tries in 79 and both appeared for the Newport 1st XV.
The club progressed from strength to strength regularly reaching the play off's of the Newport and Districy League Championship. In 1984-85 Caldicot were defeated in the semi final before the club lost 22-9 to Bedwas in the final.
Later that season the club reached the final of the Newport and District Sevens competition before losing 24-14 to Caerleon in a thrilling game. In 1988 30 players travelled by air to Jersey where 3 tour victories were gained and a return visit took place in 1991.
Over the years many other successful tours also took place to Blackpool, Brighton, and St Ives.
The season of 1993-94 saw the biggest strides forward in the club's history with the setting up of the Newport and District league.
Under the successful Chairmanship of Mike Halford the club become more structured and secured funding via a lottery grant. Membership was at its highest in the clubs history and the club was able to field a second's XV. Regular training sessions took place and Bob Williams was appointed the club's first ever coach. These efforts were rewarded by the club reaching the semi finals of the Newport and District Cup for the first time and becoming joint winners of the Newport Districts Cup for the club side of the year. The second XV appeared regularly and Gary Williams broke Paul Rosser's points scoring record.
The following season saw further progression with the second team playing 19 matches and the first XV winning 18 and drawing 2 of its 28 games with Gary Williams once again scoring over 200 points.
Richard Hill followed Simon Smith and the 2nd XV Captain and 21 games were played in 1995-96. At the end of the season everything appeared to be buoyant for the club but unfortunately - like so many small clubs of that time - the advent of professionalism saw a number of leading players slowly leaving the club. As a result the club became outgunned in the 1996-97 season and suffered a number of heavy morale sapping defeats against high quality opposition.
The club's last official game was against Whitehead's on 28th December 1996. The game was lost 12-10 and was game 768.
Since that time a number of former players have arranged an occasional Veterans game, and at the after match celebrations the conversation would inevitably come around to the demise of the old Rogerstone RFC and if it would ever be possible to resurrect the club, but sadly it was never viewed as a possibility...that is until now!!!
In May 2005 a number of former players and committee members got together to explore the feasibility of re-establishing the club.
Recognising that the district of Rogerstone had undergone a massive expansion due to the development of so many new properties being built, it was felt that a potential existed to source new players, and so maildrop's, posters and local advertising announced that Rogerstone RFC were looking to re-form.
The overwhelming response to this announcement showed in no uncertain terms that Rogerstone wanted its own Rugby team and were prepared to support it.
New players, sponsors and many other skilled individuals offered their services and on 1st July 2005 Rogerstone RFC was reformed.
