Arthur "Candy" Evans (18 November 1903 – 7 January 1952) was a Welsh boxer, dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Wales, and at club level for Pontypool RFC, as a lock,[1][2] and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, Glamorgan County RLFC, and at club level for Halifax, Leeds, Castleford, Warrington, and Leigh,[4][5] as a hooker, or second-row.[3][6]

Candy Evans
Personal information
Full nameArthur Evans
Born18 November 1903
Abersychan district, Wales
Died7 January 1952(1952-01-07) (aged 48)
Abersychan, Wales
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionLock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1924–≥24 Pontypool RFC
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1924 Wales 3 0 0 0
Rugby league
PositionHooker, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1928–≥28 Halifax
Leeds
1930–31 Castleford 18 1 3
1931–34 Warrington 109 21 0 63
1937–38 Leigh 3 0 0 0 0
Total 130 22 0 0 66
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1931–≥31 Glamorgan County ≥2
1928–33 Wales 4
Source: [1][2][3]
As of 10 May 2012

Background

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Candy Evans' birth was registered in Abersychan district, Wales, he was a coal miner, on his retirement from boxing and rugby he became a professional gambler, facing substantial debts, he committed suicide aged 48 in Abersychan, Wales.[7]

Playing career

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International honours

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Candy Evans won caps for Wales (RU) while at Pontypool RFC in the 1924 Five Nations Championship against England, Ireland, and France,[1][2] and won 4 caps for Wales (RL) in 1928–1933 while at Halifax, Leeds, Castleford in the 19–23 defeat by England at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Wednesday 18 March 1931, and Warrington.[3]

County honours

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Candy Evans won caps playing at second-row for Glamorgan County RLFC while at Castleford in the 19–12 victory over Cumberland at Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Saturday 21 March 1931, and 12–33 defeat by Yorkshire at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Wednesday 15 April 1931.[8]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

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Candy Evans played in Warrington's 17-21 defeat by Huddersfield in the 1933 Challenge Cup Final during the 1932–33 season at Wembley Stadium, London, in front of a crowd of 41,784.

Boxing career

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Candy Evans was also a boxer, one year going straight from a Welsh rugby union international against Ireland to compete in, and win, the Welsh amateur boxing championship hours later. He later became a professional boxer, though remained better known for his rugby achievements.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at en.espn.co.uk (RU)". en.espn.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Statistics at wru.co.uk (RU)". wru.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ "They Played For Leigh (Statistics) at leighrl.co.uk". leighrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Heritage Numbers at leighrl.co.uk". leighrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ^ Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  7. ^ "The pit and the pitch". WalesOnline. 9 December 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
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