Haverfordwest RFC in particular and Pembrokeshire Rugby in general lost one of its larger-than-life characters with the passing away of David Griffiths just a day after his 88th birthday.

Affectionately known to all at the club as ‘Swiper’ he  was originally a follower of  Haverfordwest County but started watching The Blues in the 70s when Charles Davies was secretary, and quickly established himself as someone who enjoyed being in the thick of things, which was best highlighted by his special presentations to guest speakers at the club’s annual dinners and the pork suppers, where his prowess as a joke-teller was very much to the fore and loved by the players as he was able to span the age gap.

He was eventually elected as Hon Treasurer and served the club well for almost two decades and his efforts on behalf of the club were recognised by the awarding of life membership, which he regarded as a great honour.

It was a similar story when he was elected as the club president for a three-year term where he worked hard in supporting other officers and was also involved with the Pembroke County set-up for a number of years as well as the Welsh Counties.

Succeeding him as president was Charles Davies, who told us, “Dai was a smashing person, a real gentleman of sport, and his death leaves a large hole in our rugby community because he loved people at our club and they loved him back.”

Swiper was also an avid boxing fan and in the 1970s went to New York to watch an iconic fight between Ali and Frazier.

Rugby lovers’ thoughts will go out to his widow Jean and sons John and David, at this very sad time.