Billy Trew

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Billy Trew


caption =
birthname = William James Trew
nickname = Trewee
birthyear = 1878
birthmonth = 07
birthday = 01
placeofbirth = Swansea, Wales
deathyear = 1926
deathmonth = 08
deathday = 20
placeofdeath = Swansea, Wales
height = 173 cm
weight = 67.5 kg
ru_position = Centre
ru_amateuryears = 1882-1898
ru_amateurclubs = Swansea RFC
ru_amclubcaps =
ru_amclubpoints =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = Wales
ru_nationalyears = 1900-1913
ru_nationalcaps = 29cite web| url=http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/history_browser_view.php?image_id=449 |title=Swansea RFC: Player profiles |publisher=www.newportgwentdragons.com |accessdate=2008-06-10 |date=2008]
ru_nationalpoints = 39cite web| url=http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/history_browser_view.php?image_id=449 |title=Swansea RFC: Player profiles |publisher=www.newportgwentdragons.com |accessdate=2008-06-10 |date=2008]
ru_ntupdate =
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other =
occupation =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =
url =

Billy Trew (July 1, 1878–August 20, 1926) was a Welsh international Rugbycentre, outside half and wing who played club rugby for Swansea Rugby Football Club. He won 29 caps for Wales and is seen as one of the key players of the first Golden Age of Welsh rugby unionDavies (2008), pg 886.]

Early years

Billy Trew was born William James Trew on July 1, 1886 [ [http://www.wru.co.uk/985_14256.php?includeref=dynamic&player=26357 WRU player profiles] ] . Much like legendary Welsh rugby captain Arthur Gould before him, Billy Trew was part of a sporting family. His two brothers, Harry and Bert both played for Swansea RFC.

Rugby career

Club history

Trew's first match for Swansea was against Penarth on October 8, 1897 scoring a drop goal in the match,Smith (1980), pg 134.] and very soon he was a permanent fixture in various positons behind the club's backs. He was made captain of Swansea for the 1906/07 season, a position he held for the next four season. After a year brake when Dickie Owen took over the role,Smith (1980), pg 135.] he took up the captaincy again for the 1912/13 season. He played for Swansea against the All Blacks in 1905 and captained the team in successful wins against the touring Australia (1908) and South Africa (1912) national sides.

International career

By 1900 Welsh fans began wondering how Trew, a player who had outscored all other club players with 33 tries during the 1898/99 season and 31 tries in the 1899/1900 season, had not been chosen to represent Wales. The Welsh Rugby Union finally gave Trew his international debut at the age of twenty in January 1900. His first cap was at left-wing in a win against England a game in which he scored a try. ["Prince Gwyn, Gwyn Nicholls and the First Golden Era of Welsh Rugby", David Parry-Jones (1999) pg70. ISBN 1854112627] He would play for Wales a further 28 times, scoring 11 tries, one conversion and one drop goal. His final match for Wales was an 11-8 win over France in 1913.

"International matches played"Smith (1980), pg 472.]
*Australia 1908
*England 1900, 1901, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911
*France 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1913
*Ireland 1900, 1908, 1909, 1911
*Scotland 1900, 1901, 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913

Captain of Wales

Trew captained Wales fourteen times in 1889 and 1890. During his captaincy the national team only lost four matches and saw Wales collecting the Triple Crown (rugby union) on three occasions.

Later life and death

Trew's son, Billy Trew Jr, followed his father and played for Swansea RFC. Trew Jr also captained Swansea during the 1929/30 season before moving to England to play for Swinton.

Billy Trew died on August 20 1926, and was buried six days later at Danygraig Cemetry in Swansea. Many local people lined the streets to pay their last respects.

Bibliography

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References