Maldwyn James
Encyclopedia
David Maldwyn James was a Welsh
international rugby union
player.
Born in Cilfynydd
, Glamorgan, he attended Pontypridd Boys Grammar School before working underground as a collier for the Albion Colliery
, Cilfynydd. During the early 1930s he played rugby for Cilfynydd RFC
and Pontypridd RFC
in the position of hooker, although he was also a skilled goal-kicker and all-rounder. In 1937 and 1938 he was selected for the Wales international trials but a severe injury to his right foot kept him away from the game until 1941.
In 1945 he joined Cardiff RFC
, contributing 145 points to the season, and eventually making 85 appearances for the club. During his time at Cardiff he played in four 'Victory' internationals for Wales at the end of the Second World War. Caps were not awarded for these matches.
In the Wales v Australia match of 20 December 1947 at the Cardiff Arms Park
, James became the oldest player to make a debut for Wales, aged 34 and five months. He played throughout the 1948 season, against England, Scotland, France and finally Ireland, winning five Welsh caps. Thereafter he retired from rugby but continued to be involved with Cardiff RFC serving on the Committee in season 1949-50 and thereafter in many capacities until he retired in 1959-60. He was appointed again to the Committee in 1972-73 and was Chairman in season l975-76 before finally retiring in 1984.
.
James had qualified as a mining engineer in 1941 and rose to became the manager of several South Wales collieries, including the Albion Colliery. At the time of his retirement in 1973 he was NCB South Wales East Area Group Manager.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
international rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player.
Born in Cilfynydd
Cilfynydd
Cilfynydd is a village in South Wales a mile from the South Wales Valleys town of Pontypridd, and 13 miles north of the capital city Cardiff.- History :...
, Glamorgan, he attended Pontypridd Boys Grammar School before working underground as a collier for the Albion Colliery
Albion Colliery
Albion Colliery was a coal mine in South Wales Valleys, located in the village of Cilfynydd, one mile north of Pontypridd.-Development:The Albion Steam Coal Co. began sinking in 1884 at Ynyscaedudwg Farm...
, Cilfynydd. During the early 1930s he played rugby for Cilfynydd RFC
Cilfynydd RFC
Cilfynydd Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based in Cilfynydd in Pontypridd, Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Cardiff Blues..-Club badge:...
and Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, known as Ponty, are a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup, Principality Premiership, and are the current SWALEC Cup champions....
in the position of hooker, although he was also a skilled goal-kicker and all-rounder. In 1937 and 1938 he was selected for the Wales international trials but a severe injury to his right foot kept him away from the game until 1941.
In 1945 he joined Cardiff RFC
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
, contributing 145 points to the season, and eventually making 85 appearances for the club. During his time at Cardiff he played in four 'Victory' internationals for Wales at the end of the Second World War. Caps were not awarded for these matches.
In the Wales v Australia match of 20 December 1947 at the Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
, James became the oldest player to make a debut for Wales, aged 34 and five months. He played throughout the 1948 season, against England, Scotland, France and finally Ireland, winning five Welsh caps. Thereafter he retired from rugby but continued to be involved with Cardiff RFC serving on the Committee in season 1949-50 and thereafter in many capacities until he retired in 1959-60. He was appointed again to the Committee in 1972-73 and was Chairman in season l975-76 before finally retiring in 1984.
.
James had qualified as a mining engineer in 1941 and rose to became the manager of several South Wales collieries, including the Albion Colliery. At the time of his retirement in 1973 he was NCB South Wales East Area Group Manager.