RELATIVES and friends have been left heartbroken at the death of a popular Stourbridge rugby player who has lost his battle with cancer just days after marrying his long-time partner.

Robbie Eves, well-known for his long association with Stourbridge Rugby Football Club, tied the knot with childhood sweetheart Gemma Poulding in an emotional ceremony at St Thomas’s Church in Stourbridge on July 9.

The couple, who had been together 16 years and have two young boys, had been due to wed in September but they brought the ceremony forward after Robbie’s condition deteriorated.

Tragically - the 34-year-old doting dad, who was suffering from stage four liver and bowel cancer, lost his fight against the disease in the early hours of Saturday morning (July 16) at Mary Stevens Hospice where he’d spent his final days.

His devastated brother Alex broke the news of his brother's death on Facebook and described him as “a devoted family man, the strongest bravest man I’ve ever known”.

And he told the News today (Monday): "He’s going to be very much missed by us all.”

Members of Stourbridge RFC, where Robbie had played since the age of six, organised a benefit match to show their support and raise some money for the former first team player and his family but the event will now be held in his memory.

Alex said: “We just want the game on Friday to be a celebration of his life and a really good night for everybody.”

The game, taking place at Stourton Park this Friday (July 22) from 7pm, will see Stourbridge Lions Legends take on Old Swinford Hospital School Old Boys.

One of the organisers, past president John Slim, said the club had been overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to take part in the event and he described Robbie as “one of life’s nice guys”.

He said: "On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all of Rob's family at this difficult time. 

"Rob leaves behind so many happy memories within the hearts of our club members and Friday's game will now become a celebration and fitting tribute to Rob's life."