Narberth tributes to three sporting personalities – Part One

 

This week PembrokeshireSport.co.uk pays tribute to three sportsmen from Narberth who have passed away in recent times.

Gary Hughes was held in high regard with the town’s football team alongside being a very good cricketer in his time as an all-rounder.

Rob ‘Basher’ Lewis gave so much to rugby at Narberth RFC, on the field as a try-scoring winger and then terrific coach and administrator.

And finally, and certainly not least, David Gibbs, who served Narberth Rugby and Pembrokeshire Cricket so well.
 
 





Gary Hughes – A great sportsman and a gentleman in life

It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news of the passing of our much loved and respected friend and life member, Gary Hughes, writes Richard and Rhian Howell.

Gary was a valued member of Narberth Cricket Club for many years and will be remembered fondly by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him and his passion for Narberth CC, commitment to the club and friendship to fellow members, will leave a lasting impression on our cricket family.

Gary excelled in many sports including football, cricket and, in more recent years, preferring the slower of the pace of the golf course, joined by his sons Ben and Dan.

He was a very talented pace swing bowler, opening the bowling for the firsts and towards the end of his cricket playing career for the seconds. A highlight was captaining the club to an Alec Coley victory in 2006.

He also played cracket for Llay during his time in North Wales.

The stalwarts of Narberth often recall Gary opening the bowling for the firsts in a match against Llangwm where he took 9 wickets, only to have been deprived of taking all 10 due to a dropped catch off his bowling which ended up as a run out in the chaos that followed!

Gary loved his cricket, especially watching tests matches, but wasn’t the greatest fan of limited over matches, saying he liked to go to see ‘proper cricket’!

.Beyond the game Gary was someone who brought enthusiasm, a calmness and humour to the club creating memories that will remain with us. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his sons Dan and Ben and their families at this time. Rest in peace our dear friend you will be greatly missed by us all at Narberth RFC.







Football Tribute 

 Gary played junior league football for Narberth before progressing to the 1st team at a young age, writes Peter Hughes.

I played alongside him for many years, he was an outstanding centre half, strong in the air and hard in the tackle.

He played for the county side and captained Narberth to league runners up in the 1982/3 season.

He moved to live and work in North Wales for a few years and also played there for Rhosllanerchugog, before returning to play a big part in our club’s fortunes.

On his return he was player manager of the reserve team and they had league and cup success on several occasions. He will always be remembered as one Narberth's finest players.


Personal Comment

I count myself luck to have been able to call Gary Hughes a good friend for many years, writes Bill Carne.

 We shared old fashioned-views on the way sport should be played and I admired his skills in cricket and his old-fashioned play as a centre half where he took no prisoners but was hard but fair. He tackled hard and expected the same back from opponents, was excellent in the air and a natural leader.

We also shared a good pal in Brian Morris, who worked with Gary for many years and played against him for Goodwick United and Solva.

Brian agreed with my analysis of Gary in football and told us,

“We had great fun playing five a side football in civil service teams, and even then he was totally committed – and I rathered having him in my team than against me.

“I always knew he was a staunch Manchester United supporter too and that was also discussed in work!

“The crowd at the funeral showed how respected he was and I will miss him when Goodwick play Narberth.”
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