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Cwmllynfell RFC 'shocked' at tragic death of flanker after he collapsed during game

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Welsh club Cwmllynfell RFC are in mourning following the death of one of its players after a game this weekend in the Welsh Valleys.

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Flanker Alex Evans was treated on the field by first responders and latterly the ambulance service following an incident during a match against Crynant RFC but sadly passed away.

The 31-year-old is thought to have died of a cardiac arrest.

Evans – affectionately known as ‘Jew’ – was a much-loved member of the team and his death has shocked the club and the local community.  The club wrote on Twitter: “There are words and there are no words to describe today… We have lost a brother on the field and it is hurting so much.

“RIP Alex.. the whole club and community are shocked and saddened… Fly high brother… fly high”

Club captain Chris Balfe described Evans as ‘one in a million’, writing on the club’s Facebook page: “We went out today as a team of mates and we came off the field losing a brother.

“We lost one of the boys who epitomised what Cwm was about. A fiercely loyal person who’d give it all on the field and in life. To me, Alex sums up what playing rugby is about a man who played for the badge and his mates week in week out.

“I know rugby is irrelevant in moments like this but I also know Jew loved his club and I want him and his family to know his club loved him.”

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The club’s timeline was flooded with condolences following the tragedy from the wider rugby family.

World Rugby wrote: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and teammates of Alex and to everyone associated with Cwmllynfell RFC.”

The Welsh Rugby Union wrote: “Our deepest condolences to Alex’s family, friends, teammates and all at the club.”

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The Scarlets, Ospreys and many of all Cwmllynfell local rivals posted similar messages expressing their sorrow at the news.

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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