LLANDOVERY beat Pontypridd in Friday’s Premiership game to continue their good run of form but the evening was more of sadness, regret and remembrance.

The tragic death in Malaga a week before of former Aberystwyth and Llandovery flanker Eifion Gwynne who was knocked down by a car whilst over in Spain to attend a friend’s funeral hung heavy over the cold November night.

There was first the one minute’s silence to remember and honour the 42 year old father of three who turned out 91 times for the Drovers 2003-2007 and who was in the famous side that won the 2007 Welsh Cup.

Flashes of memory brought back the April day in Cardiff when Gwynne ran himself to a standstill before winning the man of the match Lloyd Lewis Trophy for his contribution to the cause in the 20-18 defeat of Cardiff.

Legend will remember that with Cardiff leading 18-13 with the game all but up, S4C commentators Huw Llewellyn Davies and Gwyn Jones had nominated Cardiff fly half Craig Evans as their choice for man of the match.

But in the very last play of the day, Llandovery mounted one desperate attack which ended with prop Endaf Howells grabbing the winning try that was converted by fly half Howard Thomas.

S4C’s perception of events was forced to change by the wonderful Llandovery finale and who better to get the Lloyd Lewis Trophy than Eifion Gwynne who epitomised the courage and never say die commitment of the West Walian underdogs?

Friday’s game with Pontypridd over, the Llandovery clubhouse teemed with former friends and team mates of Gwynne, all come from far and wide to pay their respects to their hugely popular old comrade at arms.

An auction was held of items donated to raise funds for the Gwynne family and conducted by Joc Walters.

The items ranged from all sorts of rugby memorabilia - tee shirts sent by ex-Llandovery and Clermont Ferrand lock Jamie Cudmore and signed GB 7s, Wales and Scarlets rugby shirts - to luxury holidays and sports hospitality events.

The top price of £1,200 was for a Llandovery RFC shirt signed by the 2007 Cup winning side and purchased by Margaret Davies who outbid her husband and Llandovery President Handel Davies.

The Llandovery club also generously put half the gate takings of the game against Pontypridd into the pot which with the half time collection and auction items raised a sum of over £12,000 on the night.

The sum was of some little consolation to the grieving family of wife Nia and three young children but it confirmed the regard and affection that the man from Ceredigion inspired in so many inside and outside the rugby fraternity.

It also confirmed the wonderful values of the game, that the rugby community at large can come together at short notice to remember one of their own and support all those close to him.

The tributes from those at the Church Bank clubhouse were many.

Llandovery RFC President Handel Davies said: "You couldn’t wish to meet a nicer person than Eifion. He was a fantastic person, and a brilliant Welshman of the people.

"He was one of those very rare people who you feel privileged to have known and a lifelong friend to all who knew him."

Brian Morgan Chairman of Aberystwyth RFC where Gwynne started and finished his career added: "With the tragic loss of Eifion, this has been one of the saddest times in our club history.

"He was a magnificent player for our club but such was his talent and bravery on the field, that Eifion stepped up and enjoyed playing at a higher level of rugby with Llandovery, where he became a firm favourite with the Drovers crowd.

"A hard honest and determined opponent but at game-end a more gentle, humble and loveable person you couldn’t wish to meet. Eifion was a huge hands-on family man and our thoughts are with them at this time, together we must support them in every way we can as Eifion would have supported us."