- Ray Cale
William Raymond Cale - known as "Ray Cale" (born
18 July 1922 inUsk ,Wales – died23 May 2006) was a dual code rugby international forWales with the international rugby union and rugby league teams.Rugby union
Ray Cale, a native of
Usk inMonmouthshire made his name as a rampaging, tough tackling flanker. He learnt rugby union at Ebbw Vale and Newbridge. In 1947, he played for a combined Pontypool, Blaenavon and Talywain side against theAustralian national rugby union team .Cale made his Welsh debut against England at
Cardiff Arms Park in 1949 as a backrower. He played three Five Nations matches in the 1949 season. Wales came last in the championship.In 1950, he switched to
Pontypool RFC . Cale played in all four Five Nations matches the following season when Wales won a grand slam defeating England, Scotland, Ireland and France. He was known for his strong tackling and robust play. He scored a try against England atTwickenham and forced an error that led toMalcolm Thomas scoring a match winning try against Ireland.He was a controversial omission from the
British and Irish Lions team that toured Australia and New Zealand later that season [cite web | date =2005-06-07 | title = Wales Grand Slam hero Cale dies | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/5055052.stm | format = HTML | publisher = BBC news (bbc.co.uk) | accessdate = 2006-06-08] . He was deemed to be "too rough" a player for the tour [cite web | date =2005-06-05 | title = 1950 Grand Slam Hero dies | url = http://www.wru.co.uk/2_7266.php | format = HTML | publisher = Wales Rugby Union | accessdate = 2006-06-08] .Rugby league
He joined
St Helens RFC the following season. His strong defensive game and robust running style allowed him to adapt easily to rugby league. In 1951, he played against the touringNew Zealand national rugby league team for St Helens. He was a losing finalist in the 1952Lancashire Cup match against theLeigh Centurions but was an integral member of championship winning side in the 1952/53 season. In 1953, he played for St Helens in theRugby League Challenge Cup losing to theHuddersfield Giants 15-10 atWembley Stadium [cite web | date =2005-06-05 | title = 1950 Grand Slam Hero dies | url = http://www.wru.co.uk/2_7266.php | format = HTML | publisher = Wales Rugby Union | accessdate = 2006-06-08] .He played 128 games for St. Helens. He also became a double international by adding four Welsh league caps to the seven he won at union, figuring twice against Other Nationalities, France and England His career in rugby league ended in 1953-54.
Cale died in June 2006.
References
External links
* [http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=25851&includeref=dynamic Wales Rugby Union profile]
* [http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10&num=15026 Saints Heritage Society] profile
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