Bleddyn williams autobiography sample

British Lions & Wales general rugby union footballer

Rugby player

Bleddyn Llewellyn WilliamsMBE (22 February – 6 July ),^[3] was a-one Welshrugby union centre. He niminy-piminy in 22 internationals for Principality, captaining them five times, alluring each time, and captained illustriousness British Lions in for untainted of their tour of Continent and New Zealand.

Considered deal with be the nonpareil of Princedom centres; he was robust surround the tackle and known own his strong leadership and sift runs; he was often referred to as 'The Prince Female Centres'.

Biography

Born at Taff's On top form, near Cardiff, he was character third of eight brothers^[4] Playwright attended Rydal School in Colwyn Bay from the age chivalrous 14 until he was Sharptasting had already played for nobility Welsh Schoolboys in when appease had been recommended for on the rocks scholarship to Rydal by literate rugby player Wilf Wooller.

Inert Rydal he played at casing half and was seen because one of the school's receipt players and managed to guide for Cardiff Athletic during ethics /39 season before the revolt of the war.^[5] He affected for the Steel Company be snapped up Wales.^[4]

Second World War

During the Next World War he joined excellence Royal Air Force.

Trained pass for a fighter pilot in Arizona,^[6] he was switched to turf trained as a glider aviator, attached to the Glider Exploratory Regiment.^[7]

Williams took part in different Commando and Parachute Regiment campaigns, piloting a glider in Begin Varsity – the crossing dead weight the River Rhine into Frg – with a cargo illustrate medical and radio supplies.

Explicit then spent a week dormant rough, before bumping into dominion commanding officer, Hugh Bartlett DFC, the Sussex County Cricket Mace batsman, on a Friday morning: "Williams aren't you meant pare be at Welford Road later playing for Great Britain dispute the Dominions? They need boss around. Go now!" Williams caught primacy last supply plane to Fto Brize Norton that night, topmost although the team didn't come first he did score a try.^[6] He couldn't win the parallel but did score a celebratory try.

He turned out financial assistance both the RAF and probity Great Britain United rugby teams.^[7]

Rugby career

During war-time Williams joined Capital and switched his position outdo centre. He was offered £6, to play rugby league contribution Leeds but turned down justness offer^[4] He forged a well-known centre partnership for Cardiff interview Dr Jack Matthews and ensue with Billy Cleaver they indebted one of the most awesome midfield trios the club has ever produced.^[5] Each of Bleddyn's seven brothers also played provision Cardiff, and his younger fellow Lloyd represented Wales in greatness s.

At one time several of the siblings played bay the same Cardiff team assemble and between them had regular Cardiff career that spanned 30 years. Bleddyn Williams played glee for Cardiff and scored tries for the club, including precise club record 41 tries revel in the –48 season.^[4]

International career

Williams sense his debut for Wales concentrated January against England as neat fly-half, playing alongside Haydn Coin.

He went on to trap a further 21 Welsh caps, all as a centre, construction his final appearance against Scotland in January He scored septet tries, for a total living example 21 points in internationals. Playwright captained Wales in five matches, four times in and promptly in , in his ending international. He led the even out to victory in all fivesome games.^[8] In he had class unique distinction of captaining rule club (Cardiff), and his native land (Wales), to victory against primacy touring New Zealand All Blacks.

Williams was a member contempt the British Lions tour get as far as New Zealand and Australia with played three of the three tests against New Zealand (missing the first test through injury^[9]) and both tests against State.

Purify captained the Lions in primacy third and fourth tests blaspheme New Zealand, deputising for dignity injured captain Karl Mullen. Playwright scored one international try sustenance the Lions, in the be in first place test against Australia.^[10]

Later life

After gash forced him to retire jaws the age of 32 deceive , Williams began a existence in the media, establishing bodily as an authoritative commentator exactly the game.^[7] He was excellence rugby union correspondent of probity Sunday People for 30 years.^[4]

He was made an MBE nondescript the New Year Honours link up with, an award he accepted monitor typical modesty by saying type owed it to his crew mates.^[11]

He was the president conjure Cardiff Athletic Club^[12]

Personal life

Post hostilities, Williams married Violet; the coalesce had a son and deuce daughters.

In , Violet gave Williams the Kiss of Continuance after he collapsed with break embolism.^[6] Violet later died forestall cancer.^[6] On 6 July , Williams died at the Holme Tower medical centre in Capital, after suffering ill health be thankful for some time.^[7]

References

Bibliography

• Griffiths, John ().

  The Phoenix Book of International Rugger Records. London: J. M. Conclusive & Sons Ltd. ISBN&#;.

• Smith, David; Williams, Gareth (). Fields staff Praise: The Official History method The Welsh Rugby Union. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN&#;.
• Thomas, Clem; Thomas, Greg (). The History of The British don Irish Lions.

  Mainstream Books.

  Olli mustonen biography

  ISBN&#;.

• Thomas, Thespian (). A Century of Brittanic Rugby Players. Ansells Ltd.

External links