EIFION GWYNNE

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1 EIFION GWYNNE

COFION AM EIFION GWYNNE (Aberystwyth & Llandovery RFC) From time to time something happens or we hear some news that puts our day to day tribulations into perspective and Sunday 23rd October 2016 was

2 COFION AM EIFION GWYNNE (Aberystwyth & Llandovery RFC) From time to time something happens or we hear some news that puts our day to day tribulations into perspective and Sunday 23rd October 2016 was one such occasion. When our President, Handel Davies, passed on the tragic news of Eifion Gwynne's fatal accident it came as such an unbelievable shock that days later one still felt that it must be some terrible mistake and the social media that had been the bearer of such sad news would somehow retract the message and we could return to normal, it was not to be! Whilst rugby might have been the factor that brought Eifion (and the energy, humour and enthusiasm that followed him on all occasions) into our lives at Llandovery, on our first home game since that horrible day, it would be inappropriate to talk of the trivia of our recent games but rather we dedicate this match and the few moments it would have taken to read the "Chairman's Welcome" to pause and remember Eifion who came down from Aber and became the Drover that we were all proud to know and support. Cymro i'r carn oedd Eifion Gwynne. Roedd yn un o'r bobol mwya' hyfryd y dymunech gwrdd ag e'. Ar ben hynny, roedd e'n chwaraewr rygbi gwych.hefyd,roedd Eifion yn un o'r bobol brin hynny a wnai i bob un ohonom deimlo ein bod wedi cael braint o'i adnabod. Wrth golli Eifion mor sydyn, collwyd dyn a oedd yn ffrind oesol i bawb a'i adnabu. Cydymdeimlwn yn ddiffuant a'i deulu yn eu galar.'' Handel Davies Llywydd, Llandovery RFC.

Eifion was a Llandovery RFC player for the four seasons 2003-2007.

3 Eifion was a Llandovery RFC player for the four seasons He was a fearless and committed ball-carrying forward, playing for the Drovers at 6, 7 and 8, although when he was on the burst you would have been forgiven for thinking he was a threequarter. He made 91 appearances between August 2003 and April 2007, scoring 16 tries across those seasons. He was selected as Players Player of the Year in 2004/5. Eifion was named Man of the Match by S4C's Gwyn Jones in the Drovers first capture of the Welsh Cup, in April As the South Wales Guardian reported at the time, Man of the match Eifion Gwynne may have played in one of his last ever games for the Drovers on Saturday, but his performance in the Millennium Stadium will live long in the memory. The fantastic flanker, who leaves the club at the end of the season to focus on his business, was the best of a brilliant bunch on Saturday. Everyone associated with Llandovery RFC and I am sure our visitors, Pontypridd RFC, and indeed anyone who knew Eifion on or off the rugby pitch will join with us this evening in passing on our sincerest condolences to all those at Aberystwyth RFC but of course primarily to Eifion s family and friends. I am delighted that as a former Aberystwyth RFC player and as a Hen Borthmon that we have representatives from Aberystwyth RFC joining us tonight as our guests and that some of our former players will be making a collection and running a small auction after the game to raise funds in memory of Eifion and possibly as a contribution towards the additional costs of repatriating Eifion back to the land of his fathers. Please support this noble jesture and join us in the club after the game to raise a toast towards the Drovers past and present in Eifion s memory and as I am sure he would have wanted. Peter Rees Chairman, Llandovery RFC.

4 Y PORTHMYN TIMAU H Eilyddion Replacements Lee Rees 15 Cefnwr Berian Watkins 16 Rhodri Wall 14 Asgell Dde Jamie Kaijaks 17 Richard Smith 13 Canolw Joe Powell 18 Craig Woodall 12 Canolw Stuart Worrall 19 Aaron Warren 11 Asgell Chwi Ryan Williams 20 Jack Maynard 10 Maswr Ou Shaun Miles 21 Rhodri Davies 9 Mewnwr Rhodri Jones 22 Richard Brooks 8 Wythwr Nu James Davies 23 Duane Eager 7 Blaen Asge MAIN SPONSORS Phil Day (c) Tadhg Beirne 6 5 Blaen Asge Clo L Bryn Griffiths 4 Clo L Greg Cunniffe 3 Prop Pen Tyn Dafydd Hughes 2 Bachwr Dean Howells 1 Prop Pen Rhydd DATE Friday 5 November REFEREE Gareth Newman AR Chris Oliver AR Jason Ludgate HALF TIME SCORE - FULL TIME SCORE - TODAY S

EDDIW PONTYPRIDD Fullback 15 Gary Williams Replacements Eilyddion Right Wing 14 Dale Stuckey 16 Greg Mogford r Centre 13 Cameron Lewis 17 Callum Hall r Centre 12 Dafydd Lockyer (c) 18

Popple llwr Flanker 7 Rhys Shellard 23 Sam May llwr Flanker 6 Lee Evans ock 5 Chris Dicomidis ock 4 Peter Sidoli Tighthead Prop 3 Mitch Auger Hooker 2 Liam Belcher Loosehead Prop 1 Jack

5 EDDIW PONTYPRIDD Fullback 15 Gary Williams Replacements Eilyddion Right Wing 14 Dale Stuckey 16 Greg Mogford r Centre 13 Cameron Lewis 17 Callum Hall r Centre 12 Dafydd Lockyer (c) 18 Declan Williams th Left Wing 11 Bradley Coombes 19 Corrie Tarrant tside Half 10 Ceri Sweeney 20 Dafi Davies Scrum Half 9 Joel Raikes 21 Hemi Barnes mber Eight 8 Owen Sheppeard 22 Joe Popple llwr Flanker 7 Rhys Shellard 23 Sam May llwr Flanker 6 Lee Evans ock 5 Chris Dicomidis ock 4 Peter Sidoli Tighthead Prop 3 Mitch Auger Hooker 2 Liam Belcher Loosehead Prop 1 Jack Dunning THANK YOU TO TODAY S SPONSORS MATCH SPONSOR Barry Saunders of Stradey Park Hotel MATCH BALL SPONSOR Steve Drake Many thanks to Riley Sports Photography for the photos of Eifion Gwynne. TEAMS

6 On behalf of Llandovery RFC 1st XV, I would firstly like to send our deepest condolences to Eifion Gwynne's family at this sad time. As a squad we are all very aware of the legendary status that Eifion has at our excellent club. Eifion will forever be regarded as a club hero for his man of the match performance in the 2007 Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium where Llandovery defeated Cardiff. This was Eifion's last appearance for Llandovery. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to play or train alongside Eifion. I do remember having a conversation with a certain Emyr Phillips mentioning to me that Gwynny was an animal in defence, who had, in his words 'Smoked' him on more than one occasion in training. I find that funny as it's now Emz who is the one dishing out the huge defensive collisions. Seems to me that he definitely learnt a few things from Eifion back in the day. I could continue to talk about how great Eifion was as a player for a lot longer, but he will be remembered for so much more than for just being a class act on the pitch. Being an Aberystwyth boy myself I had the pleasure of meeting Eifion on a number of occasions and I'm sure everyone will agree with me when I say that Eifion was seen as an extremely popular gentleman that everyone loved and respected. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace mate. Phil Day 1st XV Captain, Llandovery RFC. Once I was asked as the 2nd XV captain to write a piece for tonight's programme, I found it pretty difficult to think of anything other than the tragic passing of former Drover Eifion Gwynne nearly two weeks ago. I am fortunate enough to say I was able to play in the same side as him a number of seasons ago, and have a few fond memories of a man that I can only describe as a giant on the pitch and a gentleman off it. As a 19 year old back in 2004, I remember him coming off the bench against Llanelli and saying to me in Welsh "If you see a gap just bloody go, I'll be with you somewhere!" And to be fair he was never far away! Many times you would see him leaving the club and he'd always have time to throw a quick couple of passes to the kids that were playing rugby in the park. His infectious smile would light up every room he would walk into and he would always have time for anybody that wanted to talk about the day s game. After a few beers you were never sure if he would try and play fight you, give you a cwtch or a kiss, it didn't matter who you were! On behalf of the 2nd XV squad, Marc and Dai, I would like to extend our sincere condolences and best wishes to his family. Not only will he be fondly remembered by those of us at Llandovery RFC, but many clubs across the country and none more so than his home club Aberystwyth. The many messages and memories that have been posted on social media just goes to show how much he will be missed. Forever a hero at Church Bank. Cysga'n dawel Gwynni. Celfyn Davies 2nd XV Captain, Llandovery RFC.

PLAYING SUMMARY Eifion Gwynne Season Played Won Drawn Lost Try Pen Points 2003/2004 20 8 2 10 7 0 35 Opponents Scarlets, Glynneath, Caerphilly, Bedwas, Newport, Pontypridd, Swansea, Newbridge, Cross

Season Played Won Drawn Lost Try Pen Points 2004/2005 22 8 0 14 6 0 30 Opponents Birmingham & Solihull, Carmarthen Quins, Pontypridd, Llanelli, Neath, Ebbw Vale, Cardiff, Swansea, Caerphilly,

7 PLAYING SUMMARY Eifion Gwynne Season Played Won Drawn Lost Try Pen Points 2003/ Opponents Scarlets, Glynneath, Caerphilly, Bedwas, Newport, Pontypridd, Swansea, Newbridge, Cross Keys, Pontypool, Llanelli, Neath, Aberavon, Cardiff, Neath, Bridgend Ravens, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, Carmarthen Quins, Newport. Season Played Won Drawn Lost Try Pen Points 2004/ Opponents Birmingham & Solihull, Carmarthen Quins, Pontypridd, Llanelli, Neath, Ebbw Vale, Cardiff, Swansea, Caerphilly, Pontypool, Aberavon, Bedwas, Talywain, Llanelli, Llantwit Fardre, Llanharan, Swansea, Caerphilly, Newport, Carmarthen Quins, Cross Keys, Llanharan. Season Played Won Drawn Lost Try Pen Points 2005/ Opponents Waunarlwydd, Maesteg, Cross Keys, Pontypool, Newport, Cardiff, Glamorgan Wanderers, Bedwas, Neath, Ebbw Vale, Pontypool, Carmarthen Quins, Llanelli, Cross Keys, Swansea, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Bedwas, Neath, Aberavon, Cardiff, Bridgend Ravens. Season Played Won Drawn Lost Try Pen Points 2006/ Opponents Pontypridd, Aberavon, Bedwas, Llanelli, Neath, Bridgend Ravens, Swansea, Glamorgan Wanderers, Cross Keys, Bedwas, Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd, Cardiff, Newport, Neath, Maesteg, Bedwas, Swansea, Ebbw Vale, Llanelli, Llanelli, Cardiff.

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V Sunday 26th June 2011, KO: 12:00 Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso

V Sunday 26th June 2011, KO: 12:00 Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso JWC MATCH PREVIEW All data in this document is specific to the Junior World Championship. Wales V Headlines: s ANDREW CONWAY has scored nine tries in nine matches at the IRB Junior World Championships