Career
Born in Llangennech, Gabe started his rugby career with Llangennech before making his debut with Llanelli at the age of seventeen. In 1901 he moved to London to study at Borough Road Training College and joined London Welsh, where he was moved to centre. He played for Cardiff between 1902-1903 and 1909-1910, captaining the club in the 1907-1908 season.
He scored 51 tries for Cardiff in 115 appearances.
His 24 caps for Wales included the famous 1905 victory against New Zealand, and he captained Wales in the 1907 match against Ireland. He toured Australasia with the British Isles team of 1904.
He played in all four test matches, including the three victories over Australia. Gabe was an impressive try scorer and scored 11 tries during his Welsh career.
In his first game against England in 1902 he scored a memorable try when John Strand-Jones deceived the entire English pack and passed the ball to Gabe.
With only the English full back Gamlin to beat, Gabe raced to the try line and rounded Gamlin but took a heavy blow to his solar plexus. Gabe managed to carry on, cross the line, score the try, only then passing out. His most remarkable try was probably one scored against England at Bristol in 1908.
The match was played in thick fog, and Gabe and his team mate Percy Bush found a loose ball outside England"s 25.
Eventually the referee and the other players arrived at the line to find Gabe waiting with the ball. Gabe retired in 1908, but still appeared occasionally for Cardiff.
He was a fine club cricketer and played occasionally for Glamorgan. He also captained Radyr Golf Club, and played at Cardiff Golf Club well into his eighties.
He died in Cardiff in 1967.
International games played
Wales
England 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908
France 1908
Ireland 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908
New Zealand 1905
Scotland 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1908
South Africa 1906
British Isles
Australia 1904, 1904, 1904
New Zealand 1904.