Llanhilleth
Lyndon Whitlock has had a long and positive connection with
Llanhilleth Rugby Club having made an invaluable contribution to the
club over the decades. He has been player, coach, director of rugby,
chairman and an integral part of the sale of the old clubhouse some
years ago. He took time out recently to talk to Rugby Club Magazine,
saying, “I was born and bred in Llanhilleth and played youth rugby for
another local side at Crumlin, progressing to their senior side. The lads
at Llanhilleth gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he said laughing, “A job
in the local factory if I would play for them, strange as it sounds I played
for the club till age 46 and ended up owning the factory I use to work in
so no complaints about my decision!”
“My main playing position was openside flanker but over a career
that spanned thirty years I played every position except no10 and for
the past five years my son Rhys has been the one wearing the shirt at
Llanhilleth, playing 2nd row for this year’s excellent team!
“I have to say that Leigh Taylor and the other coaches have been
excellent and the squad are well organized and very much a unified
bunch. Leigh was starting off his career as I was ending mine so we
know each other well and it was always great spending time with him
and passing on what I could. These days I marvel at his commitment
and energy and I’m sure that if the lads stick together they will compete
very strongly next season.
“My businesses, Heathpak and Plaspac, have sponsored the club for over twenty years now and as I am no longer
on the club’s committee it allows me to help out with sponsorship and give a little back to this great club that has
given me so much!
“Next season will see Llanhilleth Rugby Club celebrate 125 years and I would like to wish everyone, past present
and future the very best of continued success and enjoyment. I hope that the club can continue for at least another
75 years and celebrate their 200th!”
of forwards that has created a sound base and launching
platform for each and every attack.
Throughout the team there has been a great mixture
of youth and experience. Leading the try scoring is Alex
Davies, a winger of many years who has played over
150 games for the club, and was rewarded regionally by
receiving his cap for Monmouthshire County, only the
second player of the Club to do so. Closely following Alex
is James Foreshaw on the opposite wing, who again has
represented the club over many seasons. Competition
for places on the wing has been provided by two new
recruits of this campaign in the shape of Chris Hastings
and Owen Williams, both who when required have
never let the side down.
The rock in midfield has been Dominic Bevan-Jones,
who recently returned to the club to earn a cap for
reaching 150 appearances. One of the brightest stars of
the future has been the full back Luke Morgan whose
family reside in the village and has been the catalyst
to many attack and counter attack. With the squad all
playing their part, Greg Thomas has either started or
came on as a replacement to play centre or outside half.
The service to our backline has been expertly provided
by a half back partnership that has flourished over
the last couple of seasons, Connor Imms at scrum half
and Kyle Sterry at outside half, with Kyle affectionally
nicknamed by our supporters as ‘The General’. Also, at
scrum half we have a player reaching his 150 appearance
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