TWO major stepping stones in the growing popularity of darts were the introduction of the British Inter Counties League and the home internationals games in 1976 and 1975 respectively.

So when Ken Shallish, Roy Fox, Doug Rendle, Allan Plant and Cyril Pearce formed the Gwent darts organisation in 1975 little did they realise what they had started.

Now, some 45 years later, Gwent can boast an enviable record of producing 45 players, including ladies who have gone on to become world class performers and represent the Red Dragon principality in the home internationals which have evolved into a million pound industry.

However, there are dart players from yesteryear who were born too soon to share the limelight and rewards of today's stars. One of these is undoubtedly 84-year-old Cyril Rogers of Llanfoist.

Although born just over the border in Wallastone, Herefordshire, Cyril has been living in Llanfoist for 54 years.

Leaving school at the tender age of 12 to work on farms from dawn to dusk, installed in Cyril the steely granite character for which he is renowned.

In 1948 at the age of 20, Cyril donned a pair of boxing gloves, had four professional fights (winning two, losing two) and gave all his purse money to fund the building of a new village hall in Ewys Harold.

In 1950 Cyril started playing darts with much success in local level leagues. He teamed up with such players as Blaenavon's Des Price and the perennial Harry Vowles of Abergavenny, who is 85 and still going strong.

Suddenly in 1952, he packed up playing darts in favour of motorbike scrambling and over the next 17 years was four times East Wales champion, twice runner up for the Welsh title, and a winner of a multitude of regional trophies to boot.

In 1970 he returned to the dartboard with a vengeance and was soon selected to play super league for Usk, and then Abergavenny. He was quickly promoted to the newly formed Gwent county squad, and eventually also played for Brecon and Powys.

In 1985 Cyril entered the prestigious Camarthen open in which he was runner-up in a closely fought final.

The highlight of his career was his triumph in the Abingdon open when he defeated a host of England international players, amongst them the great Cliff Lazarenco of Hampshire.

Somewhat amazingly, despite the darts stars of the day being fuelled by gallons of beer, Cyril played through the whole 11 hours of the tournament drinking only coffee from a flask and eating only sandwiches and a slice of currant cake.

Now 84, Cyril lives with his wife Millie in a bungalow in Llanfoist he built with his bare hands in 1958 with money earned from a successful fencing business, and where they raised three sons.

Cyril Rogers' old friend Mr Cyril Pearce said, "The Abingdon victory put Cyril in line for a call up to the Welsh team, but due to the fact he was born just over the border he declined selection.

This speaks volumes for him as a man with principles second to none.

"Any young aspiring sportsman would do well to study and try to emulate the whole life and career of this tenacious but very likable man with hands of steel and a heart of gold.

"His lifelong thirst and hunger for success has now brought him and his family the happiness they deserve."