GWENT'S rugby community turned out in its numbers at Pontypool Park on Friday, when some 500 attended a memorial game in memory of the late Pooler prop forward Roger Addison.

A tragic injury playing for Pooler at Rugby in 1966 left the then-21-year-old paralysed from the neck down. He eventually passed away in March 2010, with the game seen as a fitting tribute to a brave and courageous man.

The event raised £2,600 with Pontypool RFC executive chairman and director of M5 Associates Limited, Peter Jeffreys, pledging to round up the total to £6,000.

The money will be divided equally between Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff and Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury - the two hospitals where Mr Addison was cared for.

Some of the guests invited to this special match were members of his family, nurses from Rookwood Hospital and some Pontypool RFC former players - including some who played in the match at Rugby on that dreadful November day in 1966.

One, outside half Lynn Targett, travelled from his home in Dorset and also present was west Wales-based Roger Wall, who was hooker for Rugby in that match.

All 12 clubs in Torfaen borough were represented in the combined side and they proved very worthy opponents, giving Pontypool a testing time in a very entertaining game with both sides playing some attractive rugby.

Pooler opened the scoring with a try from from scrum half Dan Brooks, brother of left winger Nathan, with outside half Blaine Groves converting before Torfaen hit back strongly to go 10-7 ahead.

First right winger Nathan Touhig went clear to put in hooker Jay Wilmott for a touchdown converted by stand-off Darren Pearce and then Darren Pearce banged over a penalty.

The combined side soon increased to that advantage to 17-7 after flanker Adam Stratton crossed with Pearce adding the extras, but Pooler struck back just before the break with a try from number eight Cameron Boycott - Groves converting to make it 17-14.

Pooler finally regained the lead when second row Kristian Smith crossed for an unconverted try and although the hosts failed to score for another 25 minutes, another five-pointer from Boycott and one from replacement Ellis Jones plus a Groves conversion made the end score 33-17.

Man-of-the-match for Pooler was awarded to Boycott and Torfaen’s top man was skipper and prop Nicky Blake with credit given to all players plus match referee Kelvin Shorte, of Gwaelod-Y-Garth.

The game was preceded by a minute's silence with Pontypool RFC thanking those who helped in the organisation of the game.

Table-topping Pooler return to National Championship action on Saturday with a home game against Cardiff Metropolitan University with the kick time brought forward to 12.30pm because of Wales v Argentina clash at the Principality Stadium, which gets underway at 5.30pm.

Newbridge are also in NC action on Saturday, when they visit Skewen aiming to gain a victory which would lift them off the bottom of the 14-club table.

Saturday's Championship fixtures: Pontypool v Cardiff Metropolitan University (kick off 12.30pm); Skewen v Newbridge; Bedlinog v Newcastle Emlyn; Dunvant v Narberth; Glynneath v Beddau; Tata Steel v Glamorgan Wanderers.

Pontypool starting XV:

Sam Watkins, Chris Laing, Brandon Kent, Rhys Humphries, Nathan Brooks, Blaine Groves, Dan Brooks, Tomas Sparey, Alex Watkins (captain), Sam Evans, Kristian Smith, Ben Egan, Ashley Gibson, Callum Davies, Cameron Boycott.

Replacements: Ellis Jones, Ben Snell, Will Guy, Jake Urbanos, Jamie Jeune, Curtis Gregory and Richard Bromley.

Torfaen starting XV:

Rob Tovey (Pontypool United), Nathan Touhig (Garndiffaith), Ryan Bates (Croesyceiliog), Luke Royal (West Mon.), Tai Natthaphong (New Panteg), Darren Pearce (Blaenavon), Gareth-John Jenkins (Pontypool United), Jamie Jeune (Pontypool), J Wilmott (Talywain), Nicky Blake (Talywain, captain), Micky Witts (Croesyceiliog), Marcus Lear (Garndiffaith), Rhys Wells (Garndiffaith), Adam Stratton (Pontypool United), Matthew Billings (Blaenavon).

Replacements: Dave Powell (Cwmbran), Craig Price (Croesyceiliog), Liam Bailey (New Panteg), Ollie White (Forgeside), Ellis Price (Blaenavon), Barry Apperley (Abersychan), Andrew Bates (Girling), Ricky White (Abersychan), James Tucker (Croesyceiliog) and J. Noyes (Cwmbran).