Brief profile of Billy Spiller by Dr.A.K.Hignell

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Player:

W Spiller

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Billy Spiller was Glamorgan`s first centurion in Championship cricket – the right handed batsman achieved the feat on July 26th 1921 when he struck 104 at Northampton.

 

Spiller had first played for Glamorgan back in 1905, but his duties with the South Wales Constabulary prevented him from playing for Glamorgan on a regular basis after 1908. However, he was still able to play for Cardiff and Barry at weekends, and after the Great War he was still one of the leading batsmen in club cricket in South Wales.

 

Following Glamorgan`s elevation into the Championship cricket in 1921, Spiller secured extended leave for July and August, and against Northamptonshire he was able to write his name into the club`s record book.

 

He appeared in a total of 13 first-class matches until 1923. In his youth, Spiller had been an outstanding rugby player with Cardiff, and he won 10 Welsh caps between 1909 and 1912.

 

(December 2003)

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dr.A.K.Hignell)