The cricket and footballing fraternities of Pembrokeshire were shattered last week with the news of the untimely passing away, at the age of 55, of Aled Davies, the well-known Carew all-rounder who was rightly regarded as one of the best players of his era.

Aled always commanded centre stage whenever he played for Carew after previously setting out with Laugharne and then Cresselly before switching to Carew alongside his brothers Gary and Ceri.

As a quick bowler he fooled many batsmen, myself included on a number of occasions, with his innate ability to swing the ball and few would argue about his status as a natural all-rounder who could also bat with a relaxed style that sometimes made run-making easy.

Such was the quality of his play that he attracted the attention of the Welsh selectors for their team playing in the Minor Counties, alongside fellow fast bowler and brother Ceri.

Indeed, he was chosen to play for Wales against Cambridge University in a two-day game where college captain Mike Atherton was playing his final game.

The first day fell to heavy rain and Atherton invited both teams to celebrate with a few beers, which they did in style so that when the former England skipper went out to bat on the second morning he had a bit of a headache and Aled bowled him second ball for a duck from a low full toss, a fact recorded in no less a publication than Wisden!

Aled started out in Laugharne as a nipper because his dad Perys taught there before becoming head of Tremoilet School in Pendine - and his parents were rightly proud of the fact that their three boys served Cresselly so well before they joined Carew after he married his wife Wendy Hicks, who was very much a Carew girl!

It was a similar story in football because he played in goal for a good village side and showed real athleticism for a big man.

He once showed me how well he could implement the famous 'Scorpion Kick' with ease and it is nice that son Tom, another very good sporting all-rounder, has taken over the job as keeper with Carew CC.

Aled has also shown what a great club man he is by still playing for the club's second or third team over recent years, where his depth of experiences has helped bring on the current batch of young players in the club.

His competitive spirit and wry sense of humour made him popular with opposing players, especially since he enjoyed sharing a pint in the bar afterwards and discussing the afternoon's play.

Carew Cricket Club president Gethin Evans told us: “Aled’s passing has come as a tremendous shock to Carew cricket and football, both of whom he has served so well – and only recently he bought new batting gloves in preparation for the 2018 season.

“The youngsters in Carew had terrific respect for Aled and it is fair to say that we in Carew, and sport across our county, has lost a great sports man and a real gentleman.”

There is no doubt that Pembrokeshire Sport has lost one of its genuine performers, as well as a real character, and the thoughts of everyone at Telegraph Sport go out to Wendy, son Tom and daughter Hannah, plus the rest of the family, at this traumatic time.