Rugby Club ISSUE 86 | Page 65

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.” www.rugbyclubmag.com 65