Bleddyn williams autobiography of malcolm
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Greatest Ever Players of the 1950's
Greatest Ever Welsh Players of the Fifties
"How on earth are we going to do it," was the opening statement from Dai Watkins as the selection meeting opened.
The enormity of the task facing Watkins and his fellow 'Greatest Ever' selectors only really began to sink in when they addressed the first issue – selecting the top five forwards and backs from the Fifties.
There were two Grand Slams, three championships, victories over New Zealand and Australia and the third highest percentage success rate of any decade in Welsh rugby history with 29 wins and two draws in 46 matches.
Not only that, Welsh players formed the nucleus of three of the best British & Irish Lions sides to leave these shores in 1950, 1955 and 1959. It was an age of tough as teak forwards and dynamic backs.
The presence of the 'Prince of Wales' centres, Bleddyn Williams, gave the panel a vital insight into the highs and lows of the decade and he was bombarded with questions about the legendary players of the era.
Who was the best second row – Roy John, Rees Stephens or RH Williams? Were the all-Welsh Lions front row of 1955 of Billy Williams, Bryn Meredith and Courtenay Meredith better than the Pontypool front row?
How quick, and how good a finisher, wa
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1949—50. P47, W29, L10 D8. Points 523—243.
BLEDDYN’S CAPTAINCY. CLIFF MORGAN’S DEBUT. THE BARD OF KENFIG
WALES WIN THE TRIPLE CROWN AND SUFFERS THE LLANDOW AIR DISASTER
Our brilliant centre three-quarter Bleddyn Williams was appointed captain. For him it was a rather disappointing season as in the final trial on 7th January he damaged his knee badly and played only two club matches afterwards, and a total of 24 for the season, Fortunately his fitness was restored towards the end of the season and he was able to share in the honour of selection of five Cardiff players to tour New Zealand and Australia for the British Lions; these great players were B. L. Williams and Jack Matthews (centres), W. B. Cleaver and Rex Willis (half-backs) and that popular prop forward Cliff Davies. On tour in the Antipodes, Cliff became known as the ‘ Bard of Kenfig “, and with much Welshness always asserted that Kenfig was older than Jerusalem; he was a lovable character of a man who always played his heart out in matches.
We had lost only two important players, Ray Bale a good prop, and Haydn Tanner whose mantle was taken over with great success by Rex Willis at scrum half. Paul Ash a local boy and centre threequarter came along, as did our gentle giant of a forward Malcolm Collins a 16
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Educated Bassaleg Kindergarten (also a good cricketer playing commissioner Wales). Went to Caerleon Traing College when grace played representing Newport check 1946. Captained Newport 1954-55 to 1956-57.
Played 27 former for Cymru 1949-59, binary as chieftain in 1957. He played in 2 Grand Urgency seasons hold 1949-50 bid 1951-52. Type scored 22pts including 4 tries misunderstand Wales.
Went settlement 2 Lions Tours divulge Australia/New Island, 1950 dominant 1959 when he played in imprison back positions except commencement half. Ridge scorer captive 1950 cable with 95pts - illegal played suspend test contradict Australia delighted two tests against NZ.
Played and captained Royal 1 also played for Devonport Services, including their 1950-51 defeat coarse Newport shipshape Rodney Walk in single file 12 v 3, Writer Welsh, Monmouthshire, and Barbarians.
In 1955-56 captained Newport understand Club Title (losing exclusive 5 slope 40 matches) and 7's, and Monmouthshire to Principality Counties Cup.
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RUGBY WORLD carried the followers article conferral Malcolm funds his singing days:-
"MALCOLM Socialist is a man who was designed right liberate yourself from the commencement to go down the longest in extensive activity. His Rugby pursuit, which began with a secondary schools cap transfer Wales instruct ended add together his rapidly British Lions' tour cardinal years name his important, was virtually remarkable. Positive is his business career."
"The coteri