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1950 Great Britain Lions Tour
The 1950 Great Britain Lions tour was a tour by the Great Britain national rugby league team of Australia and New Zealand which took place between May and August 1950. The tour involved a schedule of 25 games: 19 in Australia including a three-test series against Australia for the Ashes, and a further 6 in New Zealand including two test matches against New Zealand. A scheduled fixture in Forbes, New South Wales Forbes is a town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia, located on the Newell Highway between Parkes and West Wyalong. At the , Forbes had a population of 9,319. Forbes is probably named after Sir Francis Forbes, first ..., against a Western Districts team, was abandoned when the chartered plane could not land due to bad weather. Captained by Ernest Ward, the Lions returned home having won 19 and lost 6 of their games. The team won the first test match of the tour but lost the second and third to lose the Ashes Test series to Australia. The te ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ernest Ward
Ernest Ward (30 July 1920 – 9 July 1987) was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, British Empire, Combined Nationalities and England, and at club level for Bradford Northern (captain), and Castleford ( Heritage No. 366), as a goal-kicking or , i.e. number 1, 3 or 4, or, 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums,David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000). "Images of Sport – Castleford Rugby League – A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. and coached at club level for Castleford. Ernest Ward was a Private in the British Army during World War II. Background Ward was born in Dewsbury, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he lived in a bungalow in Wyke, Bradford. Playing career Bradford Northern Ernest Ward made 391 appearances for Bradford Northern, scoring 117 tries and 538 goals, for a total of 1427 points, he was inducted into the Bradford ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arthur Daniels
Arthur Harper Daniels (12 September 1922 – 4 October 2001) was a Welsh rugby league footballer. Arthur Daniels was born in Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, Wales. In 1945, he was one of three Welshmen, all from the Llanelli area, who had trials with the Halifax rugby league club ( Heritage № 546). A , he made a relatively slow start to his rugby league career, which was interrupted with a period in the armed forces. Following a big improvement in his form in 1948–49, he was by 1949 an important part of the Halifax side. In 1950, he toured Australasia with the Great Britain squad, but injury forced him to return home early before the first test. He made 13 appearances for Wales, scoring nine tries. He was Halifax captain for the 1952/53 season. However, injuries would curtail his season. A splintered ankle bone sustained in the Second Test playing for Great Britain against the touring Australians at Swinton kept him out of the third. A broken arm in a home match against Hu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leigh Centurions
The Leigh Leopards are a professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England, who compete in the Betfred Super League. The club was founded in 1878, and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. Leigh have been Rugby League Champions twice, in 1906 and 1982, and have won the Challenge Cup twice, in 1921 and 1971. The club was known simply as Leigh until 1995, when they became known as Leigh Centurions. On 20 October 2022, the club rebranded to its current identity. History 1878–1915: Early history Leigh RFC was founded in 1878 by a surveyor named Fred Ulph. Leigh's first practice match was on 5 October 1878 at Buck's Farm in Pennington and their first game was against Eccles two weeks later. In 1879, the club moved to a field behind the Three Crowns in Bedford and played there for 10 years. Leigh came to the attention of the wider district in 1885 when they had a 23 match unbeaten run with 21 w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jimmy Ledgard
James "Jim"/"Jimmy" Ledgard (9 June 1922 – 26 January 2007) was an English rugby union and World Cup winning professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, and coached rugby league in the 1960s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Sandal RUFC, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Dewsbury (two spells), and Leigh, as a goal-kicking , i.e. number 1, and coached at club level for Bradford Northern. He was transferred from Dewsbury to Leigh for a record fee of £2,650 during January 1948, (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £218,400 in 2013). Ledgard made 334 appearances for Leigh after joining the club from Dewsbury in 1948, scoring a record 1,043 goals for the club as well as 36 tries. He played for the club until 1958. He was part of the Great Britain side that won the 1954 World Cup, winning his 11th and last cap in the 16-12 win ov ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Barrow Raiders
The Barrow Raiders are a semi-professional rugby league team in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. The club was formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club. For the 1995–96 and 1996 seasons the club was known as Barrow Braves, becoming the Barrow Border Raiders for the 1997 season following a merger with Carlisle Border Raiders, dropping the Border part of the name in 2002 to become the Barrow Raiders. Barrow Raiders compete in the RFL Championship, the second tier of rugby league, after being promoted from the RFL League 1 in 2021. History Early years Barrow Football Club was formed in 1875 and played its first home game on 4 December of that year against the Royal Grammar School, Lancaster, at Cavendish Park on Barrow Island, then home to the town's cricket club. It is thought that Tom H. Baynes, a shipping clerk, was the driving force behind the club's foundation. As well as being a player, he was probably also the first Barrow team coach. Early practice matches game ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Willie Horne
Willie Horne (23 January 1922 – 23 March 2001) was an English rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s. He played for Great Britain, England, Lancashire and Barrow between 1943 and 1959 and captained all four sides as a round the corner style goal-kicking . He captained Great Britain in a test series against Australia (1952). In October 2014 he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame, and is therefore regarded as one of the best 23 players in the history of the British game. Early life Willie Horne as born on 23 January 1922 in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England. He played rugby league football and appeared in two games on trial with Oldham R.L.F.C., but turned down the opportunity to join the club, signing for his home town side Barrow instead in 1943. Playing career Whilst playing for Barrow Horne was selected to go on the 1946 Great Britain Lions tour. Horne played in Barrow's 0–10 defeat by Wigan in the 1951 Challenge Cup Final during the 1950†... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Widnes Vikings
The Widnes Vikings are an English rugby league club in Widnes, Cheshire, which competes in the Betfred Championship. The club plays home matches at the Halton Stadium. Founded as Widnes Football Club, they are one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895. Their historic nickname is "The Chemics" after the main industry in Widnes, but now they use their modern nickname, "The Vikings". The club enjoyed a period of success in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, and were frequently described as "Cup Kings" reaching the Challenge Cup Final 7 times in 10 years between 1975 and 1984. In 1989, after winning their third Rugby League Premiership, Widnes became the first official World Club Champions by beating the Australian champions Canberra Raiders 30–18 at Old Trafford. They have a strong local rivalry with Warrington Wolves. History Early years The Farnworth & Appleton Cricket Club was formed in 1871 and four years later the mem ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fred Higgins
Fred Higgins is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Widnes, as a , i.e. number 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums. He also appeared for Wigan as a World War II guest player. Playing career International honours Fred Higgins won caps for England while at Widnes in 1945 against Wales, in 1949 against France, in 1950 against Wales (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain while at Widnes in 1950 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1951 against New Zealand. County Cup Final appearances Fred Higgins played right-, i.e. number 12, in Widnes' 7-3 victory over Wigan in the 1945 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 27 October 1945. Honoured at Widnes Fred Higgins is a Widnes Hall Of Fame Inductee. Genealogical information Fred Higgins i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers were one of the twenty-one rugby clubs which met at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, in 1895 to form the Northern Rugby Football Union. They were originally based in Broughton, Salford, but in 1933 moved to Gorton, Manchester to play at the Belle Vue Stadium, and were renamed Belle Vue Rangers in 1946. The club folded in 1955. In 2005, local businessman Stefan Hopewell attempted to resurrect the club and now owns the intellectual property to Broughton Rangers and Belle Vue Rangers. History 1877–1905: Foundation The club was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season. The club's headquarters was the Bridge Inn on Lower Broughton Road and home games were played at Wheater's Field. On 15 December 1888, Rangers lost to New Zealand Natives 8–0. From 1892 the headquarters was the Grosvenor Hotel on the corner of Great Clowes Street and Clarence Street. A motion to join the Northern Union was moved by the club captain and carried unani ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elwyn Gwyther
Elwyn Gwyther (8 March 1921 - 21 March 1996) was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales national rugby union team, Wales XV, and at club level for Llanelli RFC, as a Rugby union positions#Prop, prop, i.e. number 1 or 3, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain national rugby league team, Great Britain and Wales national rugby league team, Wales, and at club level for Broughton Rangers, Belle Vue Rangers and Leeds Rhinos, Leeds, as a . Background Elwyn Gwyther's birth was registered in Gower Peninsula district, Wales. Playing career Club career Gwyther played in Broughton Rangers, Belle Vue Rangers' 7–10 defeat by Wigan Warriors, Wigan in the 1947 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1947–48 Northern Rugby Football League season, 1947–48 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 1 November 1947. Gwyther was signed by Leeds in Octob ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ken Gee
Kenneth Gee (23 September 1916 – 17 April 1989) was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain winning 17 caps between 1946 and 1951, England winning 18-caps between 1943 and 1951, and Lancashire, and at club level for Wigan and Oldham ( Heritage № 417) (World War II guest), as a , i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums. He is an inductee of the Wigan Hall of Fame, having featured in Wigan's Rugby Football League Championship wins of 1945–46, 1946–47 and 1949–50 as well as their Challenge Cup victories of 1948 and 1951. He also won Lancashire Cup winner's medals seven times. Background Ken Gee was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, and he died aged 72. Gee was the nephew of the rugby league footballer; Samuel Gee, and he was the grandfather of the rugby league footballer; Sam Gee. Career Signing with his home town club Wigan in 1933, Ken Gee went on to pla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Warrington Wolves
The Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league club based in Warrington, England, that competes in the Super League. They play rugby at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2004. Founded as Warrington Zingari Football Club in 1876, they are one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895 and the only one that has played every season in the top flight. They are nicknamed "The Wire" in reference to the wire-drawing industry in the town. Warrington have local rivalries with Widnes, St Helens and Wigan. They have won three league championships and are the fourth most successful team in the Challenge Cup with nine victories, behind Wigan, St Helens and Leeds. Their most successful season came in 1953–54 when they completed a championship and Challenge Cup 'double', beating Halifax twice in the space of four days to first win the Challenge Cup 8–4 in a replay at Odsal, then clinch the champions ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
