NEWPORT Civil Service end 75 years of rugby tonight with a final game at their Bettws ground.

The game will consist of two teams of current and former Civil players and, afterwards, there will be a reunion of many old players in the clubhouse.

Civil have struggled for players for several season now and had to pull out of the Newport and District League First Division as a result.

They combined with St Josephs to play in Division Two, while fulfilling just a few friendly fixtures in their own right.

But now even that is coming to an end, with long-serving club member Ceri Watson describing it as "a very sad day."

Watson continued: "A few years ago, we still ran two teams with around 40-45 players, but, in recent years, we had to cut it to one team and now we have to finish. "We simply have struggled for players and this last season it was impossible with the inevitable decision not to carry on.

"We were just not able to see ourselves attracting sufficient new players. "It's very sad, especially as I remember celebrating our 50th anniversary with a game against Newport RFC, but we are determined on a good send-off.

"Wayne Davies has played for 25 years for the club this season and we wanted to put on something for him, so this will be a special tribute as well.

"We've contacted many old Civil players and we hope they will all come along on the night."

Over the years, several former players have gone on to play first-class rugby, with many more going on to play in the National League Second, Third and other divisions. Emotions are sure to be high tonight when the match kicks-off at 6.30pm.