Quick Facts
Biography
George 'Dodger' Owens was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and 1920s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Swansea RFC, and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales, and at club level for Wigan, as a Stand-off/Five-eighth, i.e. number 6.
Playing career
Change of code
Following a meeting with a Wigan rugby league club representative at the Bush Hotel, Swansea on Sunday 28 September 1913, Swansea RFC's rugby union Half-back pairing of Sidney Jerram, and George Owens were each signed for £180 down payment (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £61,630 in 2013), guaranteed win bonuses, and jobs for £2 per week cash.
International honours
George Owens won a cap for Wales (RL) while at Wigan in 1923.
Championship final appearances
George Owens played Stand-off/Five-eighth, in Wigan's 22-10 victory over Warrington in the Championship final during the 1925–26 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 8 May 1926 .
County League appearances
George Owens played in Wigan's victories in the Lancashire League during the 1913–14 season, 1914–15 season, 1920–21 season, 1922–23 season, 1923–24 season, and 1925–26 season.
County Cup final appearances
George Owens played Stand-off/Five-eighth, in Wigan's 20-2 victory over Leigh in the 1922 Lancashire Cup final during the 1922–23 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 25 November 1922, and played Stand-off/Five-eighth in the 11-15 defeat by Swinton in the 1925 Lancashire Cup final during the 1925–26 season at The Cliff, Broughton on Wednesday 9 December 1925.
Notable tour games
George Owens played Stand-off/Five-eighth, in Wigan's 36-15 victory over New Zealand in the tour match during the 1925–26 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 December 1926.