Player

Billy Cleaver - Full-back

Cardiff
Back
Billy Cleaver
Height175
Weight82
Date Of Birth15/09/1921
Place Of BirthTreorchy
EducationPentre School, University College, Cardiff
ClubsCardiff, Bridgend Ravens, Newbridge, Pentre, Treorchy
RegionsScarlets
HonoursWales, British and Irish Lions
InvitationalBarbarians
William Benjamin Cleaver played 141 games for Cardiff in the years immediately after WW2 (1945 – 1951). Although mainly an outside half he did play three games in the centre and one at full back when needed. Billy Cleaver represented Wales on 14 occasions, which included a Grand Slam in 1950. In that year he was selected to play in the British Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand and played 10 provincial matches and three test games against the All Blacks.
Born in Treorchy in 1921 Cleaver gained the nickname "Billy Kick" after playing one game against Scotland in heavy conditions.
A coal miner by trade he spent most of his life within the industry. Outside of rugby he was a keen patron of the Arts and was vice chairman of the Welsh Arts Council.
Billy Cleaver died in Cardiff in September 2003.
PLAYER FOR P W D L TRY CON PEN DG PTS
Wales 14 9 1 4 1 0 0 1 6
British and Irish Lions 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 17 9 2 6 1 0 0 1 6
TEAM P W D L PF PA PTS
Newport 22 19 0 3 725 396 94
Llandovery 21 19 0 2 690 331 90
Ebbw Vale 20 14 0 6 615 384 71
Cardiff 21 12 1 8 579 492 63
Pontypridd 21 10 1 10 470 501 53
Pontypool 19 11 0 8 480 455 51
Merthyr 18 10 0 8 458 470 49
Aberavon 20 8 0 12 462 556 46
Bridgend Ravens 20 8 0 12 423 539 41
Swansea 19 5 0 14 377 540 30
RGC 1404 18 5 0 13 354 489 28
Carmarthen Quins 19 4 0 15 416 541 28
Neath 20 3 0 17 330 685 19