Don Vines

Donald "Don" G. Vines (6 February 1932 – 17 September 1989) born in Newbridge (Newport district), was a lecturer at Wakefield College, and a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s, and a Heel Wrestler in Professional wrestling of the 1960s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Newbridge RFC, as a Centre, or later in the Forwards, and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Oldham, Wakefield Trinity (twice Heritage № 649), and St. Helens, as a Prop, Second-row, or Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 8 or 10, 11 or 12, or 13, during the era of contested scrums.

International honours

Don Vines won caps for Wales (RL) while at Wakefield Trinity 1959...1963 2-caps, and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Wakefield Trinity in 1959 against France (2 matches), and Australia.

Championship appearances

Don Vines played Right-Prop, i.e. number 10 in Wakefield Trinity's 3-27 defeat by Wigan in the Championship final during the 1959–60 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 21 May 1960.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Don Vines played Right-Prop, i.e. number 10 in Wakefield Trinity's 38-5 victory over Hull in the 1960 Challenge Cup final during the 1959–60 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 14 May 1960, in front of a crowd of 79,773, played Left-Second-row, i.e. number 11 in St. Helens' 12-6 victory over Wigan in the 1961 Challenge Cup final during the 1960–61 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1961, in front of a crowd of 94,672, and played Left-Second-row in Wakefield Trinity's 25-10 victory over Wigan in the 1963 Challenge Cup final during the 1962–63 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1963, in front of a crowd of 84,492.

County Cup Final Appearances

Don Vines played Right-Prop, i.e. number 10 in Oldham's 13-8 victory over Wigan in the 1957 Lancashire Cup final during the 1957–58 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 19 October 1957, played Left-Second-row, i.e. number 11 in St. Helens' 15-9 victory over Swinton in the 1960 Lancashire Cup final during the 1960–61 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960, played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12 in Wakefield Trinity's 19-9 victory over Leeds in the 1961 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1961–62 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 11 November 1961, and played Right-Prop in the 18-2 victory over Leeds in the 1964 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1964–65 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 31 October 1964.

Club career

Don Vines made his début for Wakefield Trinity in the 15-14 victory over Huddersfield at Fartown, Huddersfield on Saturday 27 September 1958.

"Don Vines. Playing as off-half for the Welsh Association of Boys' Clubs, then at centre for Welsh Youth against Welsh Secondary Schools, Don started his football career with two caps. That was in 1950. There followed three years in the Army and after that a period with the Newbridge R.U. club, still at centre threequarter. A brief break and then resumption with Newbridge, this time as a forward, but after three more months Don decided to change his code, and signed for Oldham Rugby League Club in 1956. Two years later came another move, this time, we are glad to say, to Trinity. Whilst with us he has gained international honours for Wales v. France, twice for Great Britain v. France, and again, during the recent tour of the Australians, for Great Britain v. Australia. Trinity followers are glad to know that Don is happily settled in Wakefield. We shall look forward to many more grand displays such as he has given since coming to Belle Vue."