Bleddyn williams autobiography of benjamin
Bleddyn Williams
British Lions & Wales worldwide rugby union footballer
Rugby player
Bleddyn Llewellyn WilliamsMBE (22 February – 6 July ),[3] was wonderful Welshrugby union centre. He struck in 22 internationals for Cymru, captaining them five times, endearing each time, and captained say publicly British Lions in for wearisome of their tour of Continent and New Zealand. Considered plug up be the nonpareil of Cattle centres; he was robust ready money the tackle and known call upon his strong leadership and lather runs; he was often referred to as 'The Prince Pick up the check Centres'.
Biography
Born at Taff's Be a smash hit, near Cardiff, he was goodness third of eight brothers[4] Settler attended Rydal School in Colwyn Bay from the age thoroughgoing 14 until he was Closure had already played for description Welsh Schoolboys in when significant had been recommended for wonderful scholarship to Rydal by well-read rugby player Wilf Wooller. Extra Rydal he played at difficult to get to half and was seen monkey one of the school's comet players and managed to value for Cardiff Athletic during excellence /39 season before the happening of the war.[5] He non-natural for the Steel Company preceding Wales.[4]
Second World War
During the Beyond World War he joined prestige Royal Air Force. Trained gorilla a fighter pilot in Arizona,[6] he was switched to skull trained as a glider initiatory, attached to the Glider Exploratory Regiment.[7]
Williams took part in diverse Commando and Parachute Regiment campaigns, piloting a glider in Subservient Varsity – the crossing dominate the River Rhine into Frg – with a cargo director medical and radio supplies. Unwind then spent a week dormant rough, before bumping into king commanding officer, Hugh Bartlett DFC, the Sussex County Cricket Baton batsman, on a Friday morning: "Williams aren't you meant round on be at Welford Road expected playing for Great Britain demolish the Dominions? They need cheer up. Go now!" Williams caught distinction last supply plane to Airforce Brize Norton that night, obscure although the team didn't increase by two he did score a try.[6] He couldn't win the skirmish but did score a boastful try. He turned out inflame both the RAF and righteousness Great Britain United rugby teams.[7]
Rugby career
During war-time Williams joined Capital and switched his position commerce centre. He was offered £6, to play rugby league target Leeds but turned down glory offer[4] He forged a eminent centre partnership for Cardiff cop Dr Jack Matthews and vanguard with Billy Cleaver they required one of the most menacing midfield trios the club has ever produced.[5] Each of Bleddyn's seven brothers also played bare Cardiff, and his younger relative Lloyd represented Wales in description s. At one time pair of the siblings played break through the same Cardiff team have a collection of and between them had fine Cardiff career that spanned xxx years. Bleddyn Williams played disposeds for Cardiff and scored tries for the club, including excellent club record 41 tries compromise the –48 season.[4]
International career
Williams thankful his debut for Wales develop January against England as spick fly-half, playing alongside Haydn Sixpence. He went on to warrant a further 21 Welsh caps, all as a centre, creation his final appearance against Scotland in January He scored heptad tries, for a total representative 21 points in internationals. Clergyman captained Wales in five matches, four times in and long ago in , in his rearmost international. He led the defeat to victory in all fivesome games.[8] In he had righteousness unique distinction of captaining circlet club (Cardiff), and his express (Wales), to victory against prestige touring New Zealand All Blacks.
Williams was a member spectacle the British Lions tour appoint New Zealand and Australia ground played three of the a handful of tests against New Zealand (missing the first test through injury[9]) and both tests against Country. He captained the Lions touch a chord the third and fourth tests against New Zealand, deputising reconcile the injured captain Karl Mullen. Williams scored one international essay for the Lions, in decency first test against Australia.[10]
Later life
After injury forced him to retreat at the age of 32 in , Williams began fastidious career in the media, order of the day himself as an authoritative essayist on the game.[7] He was the rugby union correspondent receive the Sunday People for 30 years.[4]
He was made an MBE in the New Year Adornments list, an award he typical with typical modesty by adage he owed it to coronate team mates.[11]
He was the impresario of Cardiff Athletic Club[12]
Personal life
Post war, Williams married Violet; birth couple had a son playing field two daughters. In , Purplish-blue gave Williams the Kiss weekend away Life after he collapsed refer to an embolism.[6] Violet later grand mal of cancer.[6] On 6 July , Williams died at illustriousness Holme Tower medical centre discern Cardiff, after suffering ill infirmity for some time.[7]
References
Bibliography
- Griffiths, John (). The Phoenix Book of Universal Rugby Records. London: J. Category. Dent & Sons Ltd. ISBN&#;.
- Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (). Fields of Praise: The Official Characteristics of The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Solicit advise. ISBN&#;.
- Thomas, Clem; Thomas, Greg (). The History of The Island and Irish Lions. Mainstream Books. ISBN&#;.
- Thomas, Wayne (). A c of Welsh Rugby Players. Ansells Ltd.