ROSS-on-Wye came together to remember a popular young rugby player by holding a minute's applause and a balloon release.

More than 600 people gathered at the Ross-on-Wye Rugby Club's match on Saturday to remember Ollie Floyd, who died last week aged 20.

He was working at a golf course at Celtic Manor in South Wales when the agricultural sprayer he was in rolled into a lake. He went to hospital but sadly died.

Mr Floyd had played for the club for three years as back row or second row.

The club's president, Brian Harris, said Mr Floyd's dad, Nick, his grandfather John and his brother, Tom, led the team out onto the pitch, where they were joined by mum, Hayley.

He said: "It was very poignant. The ref blew his whistle and 500 balloons went up, followed by a minute's applause.

"It was very sad but people were trying to think and talk about the good things about his life."

Mr Harris said the team played some of the best rugby he had seen all season and they beat Ashley Down Old Boys 50-0.

He said: "We were very pleased with the great turn out. It showed Ross and the surrounding district are very caring when something like this happens. They all rallied together."

Howle Hill Football Club put their kick off back to 3pm so players and fans could pay tribute in Ross.

The rugby club has received many messages of condolence from other rugby clubs, including one message from America.

Mr Floyd was the second former John Kyrle High School pupil to die this year. Billy Rudge, 20, died on February 9 in Sellack after becoming trapped under farm machinery.