A WEEK after the sudden loss of one of their friends, almost 30 Quins players joined their coach for a very emotional minute's silence in memory of their former teammate Lewis Smith -a friend they all knew affectionately as the 'big man'.
The 21-year-old who died suddenly after a match away at Gwernyfed RFC the previous Saturday was remembered fondly by the club he had played for since he was eight years of age, when they played Usk at Bailey Park on Saturday.
An overnight frost threatened to call the fixture off but the referee gave the game the go ahead shortly before kick off.
The players wore black armbands and t-shirts bearing a photo of Lewis Smith and the words 'RIP Big Man - gone but never forgotten'.
The game itself was not a spectacle and despite enormous effort the Quins succumbed 8-0 to a surprisingly strong Usk XV.
An Abergavenny RFC spokesperson told the Chronicle, "In a much appreciated show of support players and committee from Gwernyfed RFC returned to our clubhouse for a pint on return from their away matches, showing how special the bond within the rugby family is.
"Ironically, the Quins next fixture is again at Gwernyfed next Saturday for a cup game. Their resolve is to continue on despite the obvious emotion of it all as part of the continued grieving and healing process."
Out of respect for Lewis's memory, Abergavenny RFC have retired the number five shirts for the Quins and the FIrst XV for the remainder of the season.
Rugby clubs everywhere have contacted Abergavenny RFC to offer support and sympathy for Lewis's family.
Teams all across the region joined the Quins in observing a minute's silence prior to their matches, including the Newport Gwent Dragons ahead of their Heineken Cup game against Glasgow.
Lewis's Funeral will be held at St Marys Church on Thursday, February 3 at 12.30pm, followed by a burial service at Llanfoist Cemetery.