George Owens (26 Nov 1894 – Dec 1978), also known by the nickname of 'Dodger', was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s and 1920s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Swansea RFC, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Wigan and later St Helens (Jan-Mar 1928), as a stand-off.[1][2]

George Owens
Personal information
Full nameGeorge Owens
Born(1894-11-26)26 November 1894
Wales
DiedDecember 1978(1978-12-00) (aged 84)
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Swansea RFC
Rugby league
PositionStand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1913–27 Wigan 221 55 8 0 181
1928–28 St Helens 7 2 0 0 6
Total 228 57 8 0 187
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1923 Wales 1
Source: [1]

Playing career

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Change of code

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Following a meeting with a Wigan rugby league club representative at the Bush Hotel, Swansea on Sunday 28 September 1913, Swansea RFC's rugby union half-back pairing of Sidney Jerram, and George Owens were each signed for £180 down payment (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £61,630 in 2013),[3] guaranteed win bonuses, and jobs for £2 per week cash.

International honours

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George Owens won a cap for Wales (RL) while at Wigan in 1923.[1]

Championship final appearances

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George Owens played stand-off in Wigan's 22–10 victory over Warrington in the Championship Final during the 1925–26 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 8 May 1926.[4]

County League appearances

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George Owens played in Wigan's victories in the Lancashire League during the 1913–14 season, 1914–15 season, 1920–21 season, 1922–23 season, 1923–24 season and 1925–26 season.[5]

County Cup Final appearances

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George Owens played stand-off in Wigan's 20–2 victory over Leigh in the 1922–23 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1922–23 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 25 November 1922,[6] and played stand-off in the 11–15 defeat by Swinton in the 1925–26 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1925–26 season at The Cliff, Broughton on Wednesday 9 December 1925.

Notable tour matches

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George Owens played stand-off, in Wigan's 36–15 victory over New Zealand in the tour match during the 1925–26 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 December 1926.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  3. ^ "Measuring Worth - Relative Value of UK Pounds". Measuring Worth. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  4. ^ "1925–1926 Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. ^ "Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ^ "1922-1923 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  7. ^ "1926 Tour Match: Wigan 36 New Zealand 15". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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