MORE Newport rugby legends were inducted into their Hall of Fame after a dinner was held at Rodney Parade to honour more of the great club's heroes, writes Iwan Davies.

Now in its sixth year, more than 200 guests paid tribute to eight famous figures from the Black and Ambers' rich and colourful history in this ever popular event, organised by the Friends of Newport Rugby Trust.

John Anthony, George Boots, Andrew Coombs, Fred Cox, Dennis Perrott, Paul Turner, Paul Watts and Jack Wetter joined a distinguished band.

The first player to be inducted on Friday night was full-back John Anthony who led the Black and Ambers to their 1969 victory over South Africa, the club's second over the mighty tourists.

A crowd of 22,000 packed into Rodney Parade to see the hosts beat the Springboks 11-6, the captain converting centre Dai Cornwall's try and adding a penalty to an early touchdown scored by wing Alan Skirving.

It was the first time that the visitors had lost to any Welsh team since 1912 when both Swansea and Newport had won their respective tour fixtures.

He was also a key member of one of the finest Black and Ambers teams of all time when in the 1968/69 season, under the captaincy of Brian Price, they won the unofficial Welsh Championship, losing only four matches that campaign.

In his seven seasons with Newport, ending in 1972, Anthony, who is now 72, made 252 appearances and scored 514 points.

A truly remarkable figure, George Boots' career with Newport spanned an astonishing 22 seasons, the hooker finally hanging up his boots just two months short of his 48th birthday, making him the oldest ever club player in an official match.

The Aberbeeg-born international won 16 caps for Wales between 1898-1904, winning the Triple Crown in 1900 and 1902.

He led Pill Harriers to a 0-0 draw over the New Zealand Army in April 1919 in front of 10,000 people at Mendalgief Road before he captained Monmouthshire to a 4-3 victory over the tourists a month later in Ebbw Vale. It was a triumphant feat which eluded Wales, who went down to the Kiwis 6-3 few weeks earlier in a clash that was granted international status.

Boots, who died shortly after his rugby retirement at the age of 54, made 365 appearances for Newport between 1895 and 1922, scoring 204 points.

Fans' favourite Andrew Coombs enjoyed an amazing, but hugely deserved, late boon to his career after wonderful service to Newport.

The lock and back rower made 101 appearances for the Black and Ambers between 2006 and 2011 before he was given the chance of a full-time professional deal with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 32-year-old, who was forced to retire last June after a devastating knee injury, made the most of his opportunity, and went on to attract the attention of Wales in 2013 when he was called up to the Six Nations squad.

Coombs was a key member of the side that won the championship that year and played in the stunning record-breaking 30-3 victory over England which not only sank their Grand Slam dreams but title hopes too.

Looking after Rodney Parade was in the blood for groundsman Fred Cox who, for 40 years between 1933 and 1973, was responsible for the upkeep of Newport's home, following in the footsteps of his father Fred Senior who had been on the staff since 1895.

For a further ten years Fred Junior, a much-loved figure at the club, looked after the Black and Ambers' kit and always made sure jerseys, shorts and socks were returned.

So the story goes, such was his devotion that he made sure the complete kit was even returned after the club's 1977 Schweppes Cup final triumph over Cardiff.

Wing Dennis Perrott was a member of the 1963 Newport side who conquered New Zealand 3-0.

Centre Dick Uzzell's drop goal gave the Black and Ambers victory on the most memorable day in their history.

But a good-humoured Perrott believes his team-mate should have exploited a three on two overlap instead: "If he'd have passed the ball it should have been a try in the corner for myself.

"Dick dropped a dodgy goal and played for Wales afterwards and I never got capped!"

Perrott, now 79, was a member of the great 1968/69 side and made 207 appearances in his ten years at the club. He retired in 1971.

Gifted outside-half Paul Turner joined Newport from Gwent rivals Newbridge in 1985 and enjoyed a prolific time at Rodney Parade, scoring 1,145 points in 133 games in the five seasons there over two spells which ended in 1992.

It was a points record that would stand for 16 years.

Turner was outstanding for Newport in the 1986 Schweppes Cup final, a classic encounter which they lost 28-21 to their most fierce rivals Cardiff.

The talented No 10 was unfortunate not to win more than his three Wales caps, which all came in 1989 when he had returned to Newbridge. He did feature in the surprise 12-9 victory over England in Cardiff that year which stopped the visitors winning the Five Nations Championship.

After his playing days were over, Turner carved out a successful coaching career which has included spells at the Dragons, Sale, Bedford, Saracens, Gloucester, Harlequins and Wasps.

Back row forward Paul Watts was another member of the Black and Ambers side who toppled the Springboks in 1969.

An 11th hour replacement for John Jeffrey, who failed a fitness test, he had one of the games of his life in that famous triumph.

He slotted in perfectly when star player, dual-code international John Mantle left Rodney Parade for an illustrious career in rugby league in the mid-1960s.

Watts was also part of the Newport side who have the All Blacks a real scare in 1973 before going down 20-15.

Now 73, he made 258 appearances for Newport between 1964 and 1978, scoring 33 tries.

After retiring from the game, he served on the club's committee.

The legendary centre Jack Wetter starred for Newport in their 9-3 victory over the 1912/13 touring Springboks who went on to a complete Grand Slam tour that saw them beat Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and France.

Capped by Wales in 1914, he went on to play for his country after the end of the First World War.

He skippered the invincible Black and Ambers team of 1922/23 who won 35 and drew four of their games in that 39-match season.

Between 1912 and 1925, Wetter made 245 appearances for Newport and was on the losing side just 27 times – an enviable defeat record of only 11 per cent.

After hanging up his boots, he continued to serve the club as an administrator and was chairman in 1950/51. He died in 1967 at the age of 79.