Cliff Williams (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Clifford "Cliff" Williams (20 April 1898 - 28 May 1930) was a Welsh
international rugby union
hooker who played club rugby most notably for Llanelli
and Cardiff
. Williams played two matches for Wales
, against New Zealand in 1924 and England in 1925.
on leaving school. He served in the Royal Navy
during the First World War, and on return to civilian duties he joined the Glamorgan Constabulary
. He died at the age of 32, shortly after his marriage.
. He switched to first-class side Llanelli, and while at the club he was first selected for the Wales national side in a game against the 1924 touring New Zealanders. Initially the Aberavon
forward, Bob Randall
, had been the preferred choice as hooker, but withdrew with a knee injury, allowing Williams to take his place. The match was a one-sided affair with Wales outclassed in speed and combination, but the Welsh forwards worked tirelessly against a much heavier pack. The game ended 19-0 to New Zealand.
Just three days later, on 2 December, Williams faced the New Zealand 'All Blacks' again, this time as part of his club team Llanelli. Williams, along with Albert Jenkins
and Ernie Finch
, who were also part of the Wales team that faced New Zealand, inspired the team in a close encounter. It was only some poor Llanelli kicking that cost the club team a victory over an excpetional touring side.
Williams won his second and final cap in the England
encounter of the 1926 Five Nations Championship
. The next season, Williams switched club to Cardiff, spending two years and making 39 appearances for the 'Blues'. His time with the Royal Navy and Glamorgan Constabulary, saw him represent the rugby teams of both.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
international rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
hooker who played club rugby most notably for Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
and Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
. Williams played two matches for Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, against New Zealand in 1924 and England in 1925.
Personal history
Williams was born in Llangennech in 1898, becoming a collierCollier
-Coal industry:*Collier, a person in the business or occupation of producing coal or making charcoal or in its transporting or commerce*Colliery, coal mining and selling*Collier , a bulk cargo ship which carried coal...
on leaving school. He served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the First World War, and on return to civilian duties he joined the Glamorgan Constabulary
Glamorgan Constabulary
Glamorgan Constabulary, or Glamorganshire Constabulary, was the Home Office police force for the county of Glamorgan, Wales.The force was formed in 1841...
. He died at the age of 32, shortly after his marriage.
Rugby career
Williams first played rugby as a schoolboy, representing Llangennech School, before progressing to the Llangennech clubLlangennech RFC
Llangennech Rugby Football Club are a Welsh rugby union club based in Llangennech in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Llangennech RFC is presently a member of the Welsh Rugby Union playing and is a feeder club for the Llanelli Scarlets....
. He switched to first-class side Llanelli, and while at the club he was first selected for the Wales national side in a game against the 1924 touring New Zealanders. Initially the Aberavon
Aberavon RFC
Aberavon RFC is a rugby union club located in the Welsh town of Port Talbot, although the club's name refers to the older settlement of Aberavon which lies on the western side of the town...
forward, Bob Randall
Bob Randall
Bob Randall is a member of the Stolen Generations and former Indigenous Person of the Year. He is credited with bringing to light the issue of forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families, in 1970...
, had been the preferred choice as hooker, but withdrew with a knee injury, allowing Williams to take his place. The match was a one-sided affair with Wales outclassed in speed and combination, but the Welsh forwards worked tirelessly against a much heavier pack. The game ended 19-0 to New Zealand.
Just three days later, on 2 December, Williams faced the New Zealand 'All Blacks' again, this time as part of his club team Llanelli. Williams, along with Albert Jenkins
Albert Jenkins (rugby player)
Albert Jenkins was an international rugby player for Wales and played club rugby for Llanelli RFC between 1919 and 1928. Jenkins was one of the greatest backs to have played for Llanelli and is compared to later Scarlet heroes Lewis Jones and Phil Bennett. Jenkins was a strong tackler and was an...
and Ernie Finch
Ernie Finch
Ernie Finch was a Welsh international rugby union wing and played club rugby for Llanelli and county rugby for the Western Counties. Finch is most notable as the player who scored an excellent solo try against the 1924 touring New Zealand 'Invincibles' in their match against Llanelli.Born Ernest...
, who were also part of the Wales team that faced New Zealand, inspired the team in a close encounter. It was only some poor Llanelli kicking that cost the club team a victory over an excpetional touring side.
Williams won his second and final cap in the England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
encounter of the 1926 Five Nations Championship
1926 Five Nations Championship
The 1926 Five Nations Championship was the twelfth series of the rugby union Five Nations Championship following the inclusion of France into the Home Nations Championship. Including the previous Home Nations Championships, this was the thirty-ninth series of the annual northern hemisphere rugby...
. The next season, Williams switched club to Cardiff, spending two years and making 39 appearances for the 'Blues'. His time with the Royal Navy and Glamorgan Constabulary, saw him represent the rugby teams of both.