Background
Owens, who was born in Pontycymer near Bridgend, originally played rugby union for Blaengarw Reconstruction Finance Corporation, before switching to Maesteg.
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Ike Owens
Edit Profilerugby league player rugby union player
Isaac "Ike" A. Owens birth registered in Bridgend district, was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league football player of the 1940s, playing club level rugby union for Maesteg Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and the Royal Air Force and playing representative level rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Leeds, Castleford, and Huddersfield, as a loose forward/lock, id est (that is) number 13, during the era of contested scrums.
Career
Rugby union Although switching to rugby league in 1943 Owens was part of the 1945 British Empire Forces rugby union team that played France, during a period when the strict guideline between amateur and professional were relaxed. Owens, playing at number 8, scored two tries in that game helping the British to a 27-6 victory. International honours Championship final appearances Ike Owens played loose forward/lock in Huddersfield"s 2–20 defeat by Wigan in the Rugby Football League Championship final during the 1949-1950 season at Maine Road, Manchester on Saturday 13 May 1950.
Challenge Cup final appearances Ike Owens played loose forward/lock in Leeds" 4–8 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1947 Challenge Cup final during the 1946-1947 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1947.
County Cup final appearances Ike Owens played Left-second-row, id est (that is) number 11, in Huddersfield"s 4-11 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1949 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1949-1950 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1949. Wartime Service Ike Owens served in the Royal Air Force as a Physical Training Instructor and as a Parachute Jump Instructor during World World War II at Royal Air Force Ringway near Manchester.
He was among only a handful of non-aircrew to be awarded the Air Force Medal for bravery, one of only 259 awarded in World World War World War II
Achievements
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Ike Owens won caps for Wales (RL) while at Leeds, while at Castleford playing loose forward/lock in the 9-12 defeat by France at Saint Helen"s Rugby and Cricket Ground, Swansea on Saturday 23 October 1948, and playing loose forward/lock in the 5-12 defeat by Australia at Saint Helen"s Rugby and Cricket Ground, Swansea on Saturday 20 November 1948, and while at Huddersfield 1945…1949 12-caps, and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Leeds in 1946 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand. Owens was widely regarded as Britain"s key player on the 1946 British Lions rugby league Tour to Australia and New Zealand.
