NEATH RFC salutes Sir Billy Boston – Rugby League’s first Knight !
Sir Billy, as he now is, first came to Neath’s attention when playing for the Welsh Boys’ Clubs against their English counterparts at The Gnoll.
In November 1950, he starred at full back in Wales’ 8-6 win over England – included in the Wales team were four members of the Neath YMCA Colts team in Graham Michael, Morwyn Morgan, Don Devereux and Ron Waldron who all played for Neath, Don Devereux and Ron Waldron going on to earn full caps as prop forwards.
Boston was only 17 but he was an outstanding talent and, unwanted by his home-town Cardiff, Neath were prepared to give him a chance.
The following Saturday he made his first-class debut at centre for Neath RFC against Penarth on December. 2, 1950 in a team skippered by Neath’s legendary Wales and British Lion line-out ace Roy John.
The “Neath Guardian” felt that he was ‘nervous’ and ‘over-awed’ but Neath were more than happy to include him again and they won easily 16-6 through tries by Neath’s other British Lion Rees Stephens, wing Elwyn Jones and back-rower Elvet Jones,
Full back Viv Evans kicked two conversions and outside-half Des Bater dropped a goal to complete the scoring.
Later that season Boston starred at The Gnoll when he scored a hat-trick of tries as Glamorgan won the Welsh Boys’ Clubs cup by beating Breconshire with 8 Neath lads also in the Glamorgan team.
The following season, the Welsh Boys’ Clubs defeated England 32-nil again at The Gnoll and this time Billy Boston played at centre and contributed 17 points via four conversions and three penalties.
That day, he was joined in the Wales side by full back Phil Hopkins (Tonna) and five YMCA Colts – Brian Mullins, Doug Allin, David Rowlands, Noel Mellin and Ron Waldron.
Further Neath plans to include Billy Boston were thwarted as he had received his National Service call-up papers. He was soon attracting attention with his scoring feats for his unit and he scored 6 tries as his Royal Signals team defeated the Welsh Guards in the final of the Army Cup.
Such prowess naturally alerted rugby league scouts and in 1953 he began a life-long association with Wigan where he played until 1968 setting records along the way. He played 488 games and scored 478 tries and was also a member of Great Britain’s World Cup-winning squad of 1960.
But he was always grateful to Neath RFC – “You gave me my chance,” he said.
Sir Billy, Neath RFC are proud that we did – and doubly proud too of all your subsequent achievements.
We congratulate you on becoming rugby league’s belated but first-ever knight – arise Sir Billy !