Gwernyfed RFC - 16

ON Boxing Day, Abergavenny RFC visited Gwernyfed to play the Lewis Smith Memorial Cup inaugural match.

A crowd of over 200 supporters from both Aber and Gwernyfed came to watch and pay their respects, alongside Lewis's mother and father and other close relatives.

The game began with a minutes applause in memory of Lewis before things kicked off in earnest.

The weather was as kind as could be expected at this time of year, blustery and sticky under foot. The order of the day however was running rugby with each side running every penalty awarded in their favour.

Maybe it was the emotion of it all, but Aber seemed determined that they would be taking the Memorial Cup home.

They started the game with a bang and scored three quick tries inside the opening quarter through good passing which utilised the full width of the pitch and support play.

By half-time the visitors had sailed to a 36 -0 lead.

With a plentiful supply of substitutes, Gwernyfed freshened their side for the second half and made a fist of things as they won the half by two tries to Aber's one.

However, the damage had been done in the first half and Aber's tally proved unassailable as they run out 46-16 winners.

In a final and touching gesture, Abergavenny club captain and cousin of Lewis, Stuart Davies, laid a wreath as all players and supporters left the field.

Over £400 in gate receipts was donated by Gwernyfed to Ricky Lewis's chosen charities - Diabetes UK and The British Heart Foundation.