Harold Jones (rugby, born 1907)

Harold "Hal" James Jones
Born	Template:Birth date Ogmore Vale, Wales
Died	October 16, 1955(1955-10-16) (aged 47) Staincliffe, Batley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Occupation(s)	Rugby union and rugby league footballer, publican
Known for	Representing Wales in rugby union and rugby league; playing for Wigan, Keighley; inducted into Keighley Cougars Hall of Fame

Harold "Hal" James Jones (born 22 December 1907 – died 16 October 1955) was a distinguished Welsh athlete who competed in both codes of rugby during the 1920s and 1930s. In rugby union, he represented Wales at the international level and played as a lock for clubs such as Neath RFC, Maesteg RFC, Cardiff RFC, Glamorgan Police RFC, and Glamorgan County RFC. Upon switching to professional rugby league, Jones earned caps for the Wales team and featured for teams including Wigan and Keighley, occupying the positions of or .

Background

Born in Ogmore Vale, Wales, Hal Jones later lived in England where he and his wife Ida managed The Goat public house located in Steeton, within the West Riding of Yorkshire. He passed away at 47 years old in Staincliffe, part of Batley, West Riding of Yorkshire.

Rugby league career

Jones made his first appearance for Wigan on 31 August 1929 in a narrow 7–8 loss to Leigh at Mather Lane, Leigh. He registered his inaugural try for Wigan during a 23–6 triumph over Wakefield Trinity at Central Park on New Year's Day, 1930. His final try came on 4 March 1933 in a 15–8 victory against Widnes at Naughton Park. His last outing for Wigan occurred on 11 November 1933 in a close 10–11 defeat by Halifax at their home ground, Thrum Hall, Halifax. While representing Keighley, he played as a in the 5–18 loss to Widnes during the 1937 Challenge Cup Final held at Wembley Stadium on 8 May 1937, witnessed by an audience approaching 48,000.

International honours

Jones attained international recognition in rugby union by earning caps for the Welsh national side while playing with Neath RFC in 1929, competing against England and Scotland. Transitioning to rugby league, he secured three caps for Wales between 1935 and 1936 during his tenure with Keighley. Additionally, he was selected for the Great Britain squad that toured Australia and New Zealand on the 1936 Great Britain Lions tour. Although he participated in several tour matches, he did not appear in any official test matches.

Honoured at Keighley

Harold Jones has been inducted into the Keighley Cougars Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the club.