PHOTOS:
Lloyd Thomas looks for a break
Lloyd Thomas
Lloyd in full flight
Lloyd as part of the Tenby United squad

 

 
For Tenby United's talented young fly half Lloyd Thomas the next 12 months are sure to be hugely exciting, and challenging, because he has just gone off to play a whole season in New Zealand.
 
Lloyd will sadly miss the end of an excellent season for the Seasiders as they are very much in contention for the championship of the National League Division Three (West) and have already qualified for the Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup Final - but with the new domestic season about to start in the 'Land of the Long White Cloud' he recognises that is the right time to go.
 

Following in team-mates’ footsteps

 
Playing in New Zealand is something that Lloyd has been thinking about for some time after learning about it from fellow Tenby United players Gavin Brace and Scott McLaughlin, who went out there almost a decade ago and had a whale of a time.
Lloyd contacted the Mahurangi Club a little while ago and was delighted when they eventually contacted him and offered him the chance to play for them.

 
New club, new country, new challenge

 
The club is situated near Warkworth in the northern part of Auckland and is a feeder club for North Harbour in the National League set up which then gives access to the Auckland Blues franchise.
They have three senior team; the premier, first and then second XVs, and to start off Lloyd will share a house with three other players until the club officials sort out work for him and he can fend for hims

elf by moving out into the community.
"I'm just going to give it my best shot," Lloyd told us, "and although I am only going for the one year I have been told that I could have my work visa extended if I want to."
 

Family matters

 
At 22 years of age Lloyd has been involved in the game for as long as he can remember because rugby is certainly in the family. His father Gareth was a very good flanker with Tenby and has been first team coach for a few years after a long involvement on and off the pitch. He used to teach PE but now is involved with Special Needs whilst Lloyd's late mother Karen also taught PE at Greenhill School and was a very good netball and hockey player, as is his sister Nia (18). The rugby theme is continued because Lloyd's uncle on his mum's side is Rob Howley, the former Wales and British Lions' scrum half who is now so involved in the management of the current Welsh team.
 

Other sports

 
Outside of his rugby, Lloyd was also a more than useful footballer with Tenby until the time came for him to decide where to focus his attentions and the oval ball game won. He played from under eight to under 15 levels in a side coached by Charles Davies and then Remi Page, and they vied with Clarbeston Road for the silverware. The undoubted highlight was reaching the West Wales Cup Final at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, but sadly they lost out in a tight contest with Penlan, from Swansea.
Lloyd also played a little cricket for Crymych alongside Ysgol y Preseli pals Osian Wyn, Ianto Griffiths, Dyfan Dafydd and Tom Powell - and although he enjoyed bowling it was a way of relaxing in the summer after a hard season of rugby!
 

School and county success

 
Back on the rugby front, Lloyd has been playing since he was eight, always as an outside half once tag rugby was over, and was part of an Ysgol y Preseli School team coached by Gethin Vobe and Marc Jones. As well as Osian Wyn, Dyfan Dafydd and Tom Powell they also had players of the calibre of Rhys Davies and Owen John
“We reached the Welsh Final at under 14 level,” said Lloyd, “where we beat Panteg at Aberavon – but they gained revenge two years later when we lost to them on their pitch in the semi-final.”
 
Lloyd played for the County Schools’ team throughout his time at Preseli alongside Rob Evans and Sam Parry, who are now playing regional rugby.
“I also enjoyed playing for the Pembrokeshire College team coached by Kevin Hopkins, and Robin Davies was an excellent coach when I played for Pembrokeshire Youth.”
“When I worked in the Bridgend area I also played for Maesteg at the start of last season and although they are no longer a first-class club it was easy to feel the aura of rugby tradition there.”
 

Welcome return home

 
Lloyd returned to Tenby towards the end of the campaign and was quickly settled back into the Seasiders’ first team.
“We lost to Haverfordwest in the KO Cup Final at Whitland, which was a big disappointment” admitted Lloyd, “but the boys are back there again this season and although I won’t be there I’ll be sending my good wishes and I will be waiting for texts during the match.
“This league season has been terrific, apart from one or two blips, and I hope we win the section because we have worked hard under my father and Sion Brace.”
 

Massive points haul and an exciting challenge

 
 
Lloyd has certainly enjoyed his part because he has claimed his share of the points, including a massive haul of 31 points against Cardigan, where the Seasiders beat the Teifisiders 83-6 and Lloyd grabbed two tries, landed nine conversions and a penalty. He has also helped out position-wise because as well as wearing the No 10 jersey he has also played scrum half, outside centre and full back to show his versatility.
 
But now it is the time to focus on the next stage of his rugby development and it’s off to Mahurangi to play there. He flew out on March 24^th and rugby lovers from Tenby and the rest of the county will join PembrokeshireSport.co.uk in wishing ‘Bon Voyage’ to this talented and modest young feller as he sets out for the Land of the Long White Cloud with his hopes and expectations high!