Lewis, having played at Ebbw Vale early in his career, has spent the last three years at Llanelli and the Scarlets before returning to Eugene Cross Park last summer.
Having spent his younger days playing football for Cynon Valley, Josh was a latecomer to the oval ball, first playing rugby for Merthyr Youth before a first senior season at Mountain Ash.
Ebbw Vale head coach Nigel Davies said, “Josh is a natural athlete. He’s a high quality player who is eager to learn and could certainly step up to regional rugby. Due to injuries while at the Scarlets, he didn’t have a huge opportunity to show what he can do and the big thing this season was for him to enjoy his rugby again.
“We haven’t played to our potential yet, we’ve had to adapt due to injuries to key players, but that has helped to increase our strength in depth and give players exposure and game time. We’ve got some important wins under our belt recently, especially with some away wins over top eight contenders, but we’ve still got to improve our level of consistency and that starts with Bargoed at home on Friday evening.”
Josh Lewis said, “There’s a good environment here at Ebbw Vale and I’m certainly enjoying my rugby this season. We had a blip at the start of the season but we’ve gelled well now. They are all key games from now on but we are determined to make the top eight and go onto retain the title.”
Principality Building Society’s Ebbw Vale branch manager Natalie Stevens said: “Josh has already won a Principality Premiership Try of the Week award so to pick up the player of the month award shows what a wonderful season he’s having. Everyone here at the Ebbw Vale branch is proud of his and the team’s achievements and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.”
Josh Lewis factfile:
Born: 22..3.92, Merthyr
Club: Ebbw Vale
Position: Outside half
School: Aberdare Boys
Occupation: Monumental mason and semi-professional rugby player
Most admired rugby player: Jonny Wilkinson
Biggest influence: Dad Mark, No 1 supporter
