MORE than 100 people gathered together in grief yesterday to pay tribute to the tragic Newport schoolboy rugby player who died last week.

Tears flowed as a minute's silence was held in honour of 13-year-old Lewis Fullwood at the cup-final rugby match he should have been playing in.

Lewis, who was a pupil at St Joseph's RC High School, died in hospital on Friday following a tragic accident earlier in the week.

The popular, sports-mad teenager was a black-belt in karate and played roller-hockey for Wales.

He had been due to join his St Joseph's teammates in the Gwent U-13 cup final against RTB Ebbw Vale at Pontypool yesterday.

Team coach Alan Lewis said: "We held a team meeting to talk to the boys about what they wanted to do, whether they wanted to delay the match.

"But they wanted to do this today as a way to pay tribute to Lewis and show support for his family."

Lewis' mother, Sarah, and family also requested the cup match go ahead as it was what he would have wanted.

But all the club's other matches were cancelled so players and parents of all age groups could gather to remember Lewis.

Mr Lewis said: "Lewis played for us for five years. He was an excellent rugby player and a sound all-round sportsman who will be sadly missed."

Family friend Siobahan Casey added: "Wherever Lewis went he fitted in. He touched everyone, he was a truly exceptional child."

At Lewis' school, friends and teachers will this week be comforted by counsellors.

The teenager was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, last Monday following an accident.

Gwent police confirmed they were called to an incident in the Maindee area, but that there were no suspicious circumstances.