David Jenkins (rugby, born 1914)
Dai Jenkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 February 1914 Treherbert, Wales |
| Died | 1979 Leeds, England |
| Occupation(s) | Rugby union and rugby league footballer |
| Years active | 1935–1957 |
| Known for | Playing for Leeds RLFC, Great Britain 1946 Indomitables tour |
David "Dai" Jenkins (23 February 1914 – 1979) initiated his sporting journey in Rugby Union before transitioning to Rugby League at 21 years old. His professional tenure spanned from 1935 to 1957, predominantly featuring as a for Leeds Rugby League Club.
Background
Born in Treherbert, Wales, David Jenkins began his life in this Welsh mining community.
Playing career
Jenkins was selected for the Great Britain squad that embarked on the renowned 1946 Indomitables tour across Australia and New Zealand.
Junior/Amateur Game
At just 10 years old in 1924, Dai Jenkins played as hooker for Penyrenglyn School XV in Treherbert. By the 1927/28 season, he held the roles of vice-captain and scrum half when his team secured the Welsh schools Rugby Union Championship. In 1928, he represented Wales in the Schoolboy Rugby Union Internationals against England and also spent two years post-school playing as a centre forward in local junior Association Football.
Domestic career
Dai Jenkins began his Rugby League career in 1935 with Acton and Willesden, making his first appearance against Featherstone at Post Office Road. He moved to Streatham & Mitcham Rugby League Club in May 1936, remaining until December that year. Subsequently, he and Con Murphy transferred jointly to Leeds Rugby League Club for £600. Jenkins debuted for Leeds on 2 January 1937 facing Bradford Northern at Headingley.
Challenge Cup, Championship & Yorkshire Cup appearances
In 1937, Jenkins featured for Leeds during the League Championship semi-final and again participated in the 1938 final against Hunslet held at Elland Road.
He competed in four Challenge Cup Finals as scrum half: Leeds’ 19–2 triumph over Halifax in the 1940–41 season at Odsal Stadium; the following season’s 15–10 win against Halifax at the same venue; the 1943 final against Dewsbury; and the 1947 Wembley final where Leeds were defeated 8–4 by Bradford Northern.
Jenkins also took part in the 1947 Yorkshire Cup Final against Wakefield Trinity, which concluded with a 7–7 stalemate. The subsequent replay at Odsal saw Wakefield Trinity narrowly prevail with an 8–7 scoreline.
Wartime (Domestic games)
During wartime, Dai Jenkins represented Yorkshire and the Probables—likely candidates for the 1940 Australia tour—in numerous Yorkshire vs Lancashire encounters:
- February 1940: Probables versus 1936 Tourists in a Red Cross Fund match at Salford
- March 1940: Yorkshire versus Lancashire at Barrow
- May 1940: Probables versus 1936 Tourists again for a Red Cross Fund event at Salford
- March 1942: Rugby Leagues XIII faced Northern Command
- March 1942: Yorkshire played Lancashire at Crown Flatts, Dewsbury
- May 1943: Participated in a seven-a-side tournament held at Headingley
Later domestic career
Jenkins captained Leeds RLFC during the 1948-49 campaign. In that year, he shared a Testimonial match with Dai Prosser at Leeds but sustained a collarbone injury.
In 1949, he transferred to Keighley RLFC where he played until 1951. His final playing chapter involved serving as player-coach and subsequently coach at Bramley RLFC from 1951 through to 1957.
International career
During the 1937-38 season, Jenkins earned a cap representing Wales against England in Newcastle. He also appeared for Wales facing England within the European Rugby League Championship at Llanelli (November 1938) and later participated in a friendly match at Odsal (December 1939).
In addition, he played for Wales versus France in 1938 and is remembered for exchanging jerseys with a French opponent wearing number seven. That same year, he toured France as a guest player alongside Hunslet Rugby League.
Wartime (International Matches)
Throughout the Second World War, Jenkins represented Wales in rugby league contests held at various venues:
- November 1940, Oldham
- 1941, Odsal
- February 1943, Wigan
The Indomitable Tour
In April 1946, Dai Jenkins was chosen to join the victorious Rugby League expedition to Australia and New Zealand, marking the first overseas tour following WWII. The team gained the nickname Indomitables after traveling aboard .
Between 22 May and 10 August 1946, the squad contested 18 games—17 in Australia and one in New Zealand—with Dai donning the number 15 jersey. The group returned to Britain on .
Remarks about Dai Jenkins
"Jenkins tackled everything from a charging elephant to a whippet tank."
Dai regarded Leeds’ triumph in the 1947 Cup semi-final against Wakefield at Huddersfield as his most exhilarating football moment.
Personal Background
Born on 23 February 1914 in Treherbert, South Wales, Dai Jenkins was the son of Richard Jenkins, who previously played Rugby League for Hull, and Rachel (née Howells). He had four siblings: Margaret, Deilwen, Elwyn, and Venner.
In early 1939, he married Edna Fox. The couple initially lived at Ashville Grove before moving to Beechwood Mount in Leeds. From approximately 1940 until after 1947, Dai managed the Town Hall Tavern in Leeds as licensee, taking over from fellow rugby player Ken Jubb.
Their son David was born in 1942. Dai Jenkins died in late 1979 in Leeds.