Memorial match date set for rugby club members (From Free Press Series)

Memorial match date set for Garndiffaith and Talywain rugby club members

4:09pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in Sport

THE date for a memorial rugby match in honour of two rugby club members has now been set.

A combined side from Garndiffaith RFC and Talywain RFC will take on the Monmouthshire county side on March 15 as a tribute to Dale Llewellyn and Keith “Beefy’ Jones, who both died on January 2 this year.

Mr Llewellyn was a second-row for both clubs, coming through the junior ranks at Talywain before moving to neighbours Garndiffaith this season.

Mr Jones was a huge character across the Pontypool rugby scene, coaching both Talywain and the Garn as well as fellow neighbours Pontypool United.

Ray Sulway, chairman at Garndiffaith, said: “We’ve agreed the date for the game now.

“Beefy had been part of the coaching set up with the Monmouthshire county side so it is a fitting fixture.

“I only knew Dale for about six months but he was one of the nicest boys you could wish to meet and would have been a future Garndiffatih captain I’m sure.

“Beefy was one of life’s great characters. We were best friends for 47 years and in that time we never once shared a cross word.

“It is making me sad just thinking about it now. He was a great man.”

The location of the match is yet to be decided.