Llanhilleth
Geoff Musto is in his 2nd term as Club Chairman and
is delighted with the great season the club has enjoyed. An
ex-player and master in the lineout, he fully appreciates
the standard of rugby played at Llanhilleth as h explained,
“Hats off to everyone at the club, our team manager Shaun
Hall went beyond regular boundaries in putting the word out
in seasons past about our plight and how we were looking
to rebuild. Leigh Taylor and Chris Stephens have brought
discipline and a great flowing rugby to the club and I think
we enjoy watching the boys as much as they seem to enjoy
playing!
I believe we will hold our own next season as we have a
fantastic bunch of players at Llanhilleth who have put in the
necessary efforts to take us beyond the challenges of the past
when the worry was whether we could field a team for next
week’s matches. These days we are attracting players partly
due to the excellent reputation of our team and coaches and
part partly because we are a great club that will include you
if you wish to join us!”
Merryl Griffin and Karen Abraham of club sponsors
Merryl’s Hair Salon told Rugby Club Magazine, “I have been
in the area since 1979 and used to cut a lot of the boys hair
when they were younger. Ten years ago I started promoting
the lottery for the boys helping to generate some income for
the club. Myself and Lorraine wish everyone at the club the
very best of continued success!”
Joanne Collins local Independent Councillor for
Llanhilleth Ward is a local girl who was elected two years
ago. She told us, “My grandfather Leonard Hagland played
for the club in the 1950s and is still a supporter today. The
club is a real heart of the local communities and offer many
opportunities for local people to connect. The work carried
out by the committee is outstanding and I wish everyone all
the best in the higher division next season.”
Lee Parsons is also a local independent councillor for
Llanhilleth Ward who grew up locally and has been a long
term supporter of the club and sport. He said, “I can’t speak
highly enough about Llanhilleth RFC and the great service
they provide to the local community. I am an avid fan but
don’t get down as much as I would like due to spreading my
time thinly on weekends and having a young family.”
“Most of the people at the club I know or was raised with
and people like Shaun Hall who spoke at a recent dinner
talked about how far the club have come since their days of
travelling to games with only thirteen players and no subs.
“The Abertillery derby’s in the higher division next
season will bring fond memories back to many of us and a
great experience for our players travelling to Arbertillery
Park. I would like to congratulate everyone at the club on
their promotion and for all the hard work they have put into
this great club - Llanhilleth RFC certainly let success make the
noise this season!”
Chris Smith, ex-player who came to the game late at age 28, told us, “I started on the
wing and ended up as prop. I played for about five years and when both senior teams
won their league I decided to retire.
It was through my friends that I went along to the club, the same bunch I socialise
with today. The club have many wonderful people involved and were playing some
fantastic rugby last season. Best wishes in the higher league next season.”
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