Llanhilleth
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Many people at Llanhilleth Rugby Club feel they owe a special
debt to Shaun Hall who dug deep and went beyond any reasonable
measures to ensure that his local Rugby Club survived. Shaun recently
said: “I played mini and junior rugby for the club back in the day up till
my early 20s when a nasty injury put an end to my career.”
“My business, Llanhilleth Stores are a club sponsor and we like to
help out when we can. I have witnessed the club come through a very
challenging period, I remember on one trip to Chepstow we only had
thirteen players.
“It’s amazing though, with a little extra conviction and effort how
things can change, and with a few phone calls friends will Raleigh
around. Leigh Taylor has been outstanding as has player/coach Chris
Stephens.
“I have decided to step down as Team Manager this year and
concentrate on my son’s motocross but I will still be very much
supporting the lads and if they ever need me I’m just on the end of
the phone. Best wishes to all my friends at Llanhilleth RFC for the
challenges in the 2019/2020 season!”
The backbone to every main Committee are sub-
committees, the one sub-committee prevalent over the
previous decades is the Ladies Committee who provide
the refreshment for all players post-match and the
majority of supporters besides other various clubhouse
functions throughout the year. On the Ladies Committee
Mrs Lorraine Went, wife of the Secretary David, will in
the forthcoming new season be in her 40th consecutive
year involved with the club, a feat currently matched by
no other person within the club.
Our current rugby section is headed by one of the
most committed and loyal individuals within the Club,
Team Manager Sean Hall and another previous player.
In his 13th and final Year of management he has led the
Club to promotion from Division 3 East B and this is just
reward for the amount of time, effort and involvement
that he has put into the Club.
Assisting Sean throughout the season is another
player and former Captain Tim Tilling. One person that
every player needs assistance from at some time during
the season is our Physio/first aid man David ‘Dabbo’
Jones. Another former player, Dabbo has been involved
with the club over the last two decades.
62 Issue 86
At the coalface of the Rugby team we have two young
coaches who have succeeded where many before them
have failed. Head Coach Leigh Taylor returned to club
where he started as a player two decades ago and having
played regularly at Division 1 Level his experience and
expertise have been fundamental in driving our Team
forward.
Leigh lives within the village and still plays when
required and has appeared in the front row, 2nd row
and back row throughout the season. Our backs coach
Christopher Stephens has taken up the opportunity to
start his coaching career whilst still playing and joined
us to work with Leigh to form a formidable coaching
team that has provided recent success. Chris has been
involved in playing every match of our regular season,
alternating between centre and outside half to bring
guidance and direction to an exciting attacking back line.
The Rugby Team has been ably led by Captain
Richard Phelps in his 3rd season at the helm and is a
Captain who leads from the front and commands great
respect from the players, coaches, administrators and
supporters alike. This season’s success has been based
on an expansive game that has been provided by a pack