Ben Edwards (rugby union) explained

Ben Edwards
Full Name:Benjamin Oswald Edwards
Birth Date:29 May 1923
Birth Place:Sudbrook, Wales
Death Place:Cheltenham, England
Position:Lock
Repyears1:1951
Repcaps1:1
Reppoints1:3

Benjamin Oswald Edwards (29 May 1923 — 2 September 1978) was a Welsh international rugby union player.

Edwards grew up in the village of Sudbrook and was mainly a soccer player in his youth, until being invited to try out with Newport RFC during the war.[1] He became a lock forward and developed a reputation for his long range place kicks, which included a successful 64-yard effort in a match for Newport.[2]

In 1951, Edwards received his solitary Wales cap, during a season in which he set a new Newport points-scoring record. He played the fixture against Ireland in Cardiff and kicked a penalty from just inside the halfway line to open the scoring, with the match finishing in a 3–3 draw. Edward's penalty prevented Ireland from achieving the grand slam.[3]

Edwards ended his rugby career at Ebbw Vale and later settled in Gloucestershire, where he was employed by Imperial Chemical Industries.[4] He volunteered as chairman of his local Outward Bound branch, for which he was awarded an MBE in the 1978 Birthday Honours during the final months of his life.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Ben Edwards Is Honoured By Sudbrook . . 9 June 1951.
  2. News: Death of 'Big Ben' sadden Ebbw Vale rugby fans . Gwent Gazette . 14 September 1978.
  3. News: Defences eliminate back movements in stern Irish — Welsh duel . . 12 March 1951.
  4. News: Russell . Arthur . Death of rugby man Ben Edwards . . 5 September 1978.
  5. News: West Honours . . 3 June 1978.