LAST Saturday will live long in the hearts of all those involved with Abergavenny RFC as the club once again united to pay tribute to former player Lewis Smith who died whilst playing for the Quins at Gwernyfed RFC earlier this year

The WRU had extended the playing season for this special memorial match game and supplied three quality referees whose management of the game allowed it to be played in the spirit and empathy it deserved.

The Old Smithonians consisting of boys, now men, who had played with Lewis from the time he joined the club as an U8 player, played a club XV made up of the Quins, plus a number of first team players who had also wanted to pay tribute to the lovable 20 stone giant second row forward.

The Old Smithonians had a mixture of former team mates of Lewis brought in on permit from other clubs in the area and a number of players who had not played rugby since playing with Lewis in the under 16s nearly six years ago.

The biggest crowd of the season, estimated to be over 400, turned out in force to watch the game.

All programme sales and donations from the match will fund a bench in Lewis's memory which will placed in Bailey Park.

Additionally funds will also go towards the charity chosen by Lewis's parents Ricky and Karina - Diabetes UK.

Each of the players also donated a set sum to boost the overall figure.

Despite being underdogs, the scratch side who had only had two training sessions, including one in the week before the game with Welsh legend Scott Quinnell, began the game with purpose.

The Old Smithonians tackled the early Quins assault with passion knocking them out of their stride.

The first points of the game came from a fine individual try from Old Smithonian Danny Haymond, who was last season's First XV outside half and was playing on permit from Tredegar RFC.

Haymond cut inside two defenders on the right wing and sprinted for the posts to score and convert his own try (7-0).

This was soon followed by another try from second row Dan Horler, again converted by Haymond (14-0).

The Old Smithonians now grew in confidence and started to throw the ball around. The lack of match practice in the front row had been the biggest concern for the 'old boys' and whether enough ball would be won to feed their talented back line.

Yet despite being up against a stronger pack, front row props Daniel Awater and Gavin Norman held firm.

Number Eight Leigh Sweet on permit from RTB Ebbw Vale RFC managed to pick and drive from the back of the scrum, ably supported by fellow back rowers Nathen (Nadge) Jones (RTB Ebbw Vale) and team captain at openside, Arwyn Woodford. Now a soldier with the REME regiment Woodford had captained the side from U8 through to U16s.

On the stroke of half time, to the delight of the crowd who were heavily supporting the old boys, an overlap developed wide on the left and quick accurate passes saw Joe Powell (Crickhowell RFC) on the wing score to take the half time score to an impressive 19-0.

The second half saw changes in personnel for both sides with the Quins being bolstered by several First XV players.

Thus began a much sterner test for the 'old boys' and within a minute of the restart Stuart Davies had beaten their defence with his electric pace to score a try converted by Ryan Williams (19-7).

The Quins scored again from Ryan Williams at full back (19-12) and a third try by Jonathan Hockey at flanker (19-17).

The 'old boys' started to look as though they might succumb in the last quarter against the extra fitness of the regular players.

Tired legs demanded a few changes and experienced veteran prop and coach Howard Davies came on to strengthen the scrum with young Ollie Pook straining every sinew on the other side of the scrum to provide much needed possession.

The line-outs had been dominated throughout by Dan Horler and a penalty gave Dan Haymond the opportunity to drive the ball to within five yards of the Quins line.

Horler took from the resultant line out and after a series of drives, second row Ashley (Bomber) Brown scored to a huge cheer from the crowd, converted by Haymond, to take the 'old boys' two scores ahead going into the final 10 minutes, 26-17.

The Old Smithonians were determined to hold on, and again Haymond with his superb game management kept them in the Quins 22.

A tap penalty allowed the 'old boys' to attack through a broken field from 10 yards and yet again it was Ashley Brown whose sheer determination saw him beat his defender, to dive and reach over the line for the final score of the game and a memorable 31-17 victory against the odds.

Ricky and Karina Smith presented the Old Smithonians with the Lewis Smith Memorial Cup that will be played for in perpetuity between the Quins and Gwernyfed Athletic each season.

Ricky selected Old Smithonian prop Gavin Norman as man of the match.

Back in the clubhouse both supporters and players sang the night away with a Karaoke.

The final count in donations after programme sales and raffle was almost £1100 and the club would like to thank everyone who contributed.