Ewan Davies

David Evans George "Ewan" Davies (23 June 1887 – 2 September 1979)[1] was a Welsh international rugby union wing who won two caps for the Wales national rugby union team. He played club rugby for Cardiff RFC and London Welsh RFC and county rugby for Middlesex. Outside rugby he was a solicitor and successful businessman and owned a chain of cinemas.

Ewan Davies
Birth nameDavid Evans George Davies
Date of birth(1887-06-23)23 June 1887
Place of birthCardiff, Wales
Date of death2 September 1979(1979-09-02) (aged 92)
Place of deathCardiff, Wales
Weight227 lb (103 kg)
SchoolCardiff High School
Llandovery College
UniversityUniversity College London
SpouseKelly Pringle
Childrenewan davies II
Occupation(s)solicitor
cinema chain owner
Rugby union career
Position(s) wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
?
1910-1913		 Llandovery College
Cardiff RFC
London Welsh RFC
Middlesex		 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1912 Wales 2 (6)

Personal history

Davies was born in Cardiff in 1887 and was educated at Cardiff High School and then Llandovery College before matriculating to University College London.[2] He studied law, becoming a solicitor, but was also a successful businessman owning a chain of cinemas. In 1931 he built the Plaza Cinema in Swansea, at the time the largest cinema in Wales.[2][3]

Davies held political ambitions, and twice ran as a Liberal candidate in British general elections. His first challenge was for Cardiff South in 1924 and then Llandaff and Barry in 1929, though he was unsuccessful on both occasions.[2] He was also a landowner in Pembrokeshire, where he bred Hereford cattle.[2]

Rugby career

Davies played rugby through his youth, representing Cardiff High School and Llandovery. He continued playing while at university, and while in London he also turned out for Welsh exiles, London Welsh RFC. He joined first class Welsh team Cardiff RFC during the 1910-11 season and remained with the club for three seasons playing 37 games.[4] While at Cardiff he was utilised as a wing and scored 27 tries.[5]

Davies was first selected for the Wales national rugby union team during the 1912 Five Nations Championship. He was brought in at wing facing England at Twickenham. Wales lost the match 8-0, and Davies was not selected for the next two games of the tournament, a win over Scotland and an away loss to Ireland. He was reselected for the last match of the Championship, a home match against France played at Rodney Parade in Newport. Despite being 6-8 down at half-time, the Welsh rallied in the second half winning the game 14-8.[6] Wales scored four tries, Davies scoring two of them. This was to be his last international appearance.

References
  1. scrum.com profile
  2. Jenkins, John M.; et al. (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Rugby Players. Wrexham: Bridge Books. p. 37. ISBN 1-872424-10-4.
  3. "The Plaza Cinema". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  4. Davies (1975), p.215
  5. Davies (1975), p.402
  6. "Wales (6) 14 - 8 (8) France (FT)". ESPN Scrum.com. Retrieved 9 October 2011.

Bibliography
  • Davies, D.E. (1975). Cardiff Rugby Club, History and Statistics 1876-1975. Risca: The Starling Press. ISBN 0-9504421-0-0.
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