FORMER Cross Keys captain and winger Gwyn Rees has died at the age of 90.
Rees was born in Cwmfelinfach in 1926 and won a scholarship to Lewis School in Pengam before representing Cross Keys Boys’ Club.
He served in the Fleet Air Arm and after his discharge in 1946 headed to Pandy Park, making an immediate impression with two tries on debut in a 6-6 draw with Aberavon.
Rees played for London Welsh while studying to become a teacher and, after returning to Keys, featured in three Welsh trials.
He never won a cap – the legendary Ken Jones was established on one wing for Wales – but became a Keys favourite, captaining the side in 1950/51 and leading them on a six-day tour to France. A knee injury suffered two games into the 1952/53 ended his career.
Rees, who taught at Pontymister at was a regular at Cross Keys Former Players’ Association meetings until moving to Llanelli recently, played 155 for the club and scored 45 tries.
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