Ambrose Baker

Ambrose Baker (7 July 1897[2] – 24 November 1976)[3] was a dual-code international rugby player who played rugby union for Neath and rugby league with Oldham, as a forward (prior to the specialist positions of; prop, hooker, second-row, loose forward), during the era of contested scrums. He won five caps for Wales under the rugby union code and then represented his country at rugby league in two matches between 1925 and 1928, and Other Nationalities in 1924.[1]

Ambrose Baker
Birth nameAmbrose Baker
Date of birth7 July 1897
Place of birthSwansea, Wales
Date of death24 November 1976
Place of deathOldham, England
Occupation(s)collier
licensee
Rugby league career
Position(s) Forward
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1924-31 Oldham 166 (72)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1924 Other Nationalities 1 ()
1925-28 Wales[1] 2 (0)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
? - 1924 Neath RFC ()
1923 Leicester Tigers 2 (3)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1921-23 Wales 5 (3)

Rugby career

Baker came to note as a rugby union player representing South Wales club Neath. It was with Neath that he was first selected to represent Wales, brought in for the encounter with Ireland in the last Welsh match of the 1921 Five Nations Championship. Although Wales won the game 6-0, Baker was not re-selected in 1922 Championship, but the following year he played in all four matches of the 1923 Championship. 1922 had seen Wales win the Five Nations title, but 1923 was dominated by England and Scotland. Wales narrowly lost the opener to England, and this was followed by an 11-8 loss at home to Scotland. On 24 February, Baker was part of a winning Wales team, as they beat France at Swansea. Although the game was marred by an overly violent French team, Baker managed to score his only international points, scoring one of three Welsh tries.[4] His final rugby union international game was away to Ireland, Wales lost 5-4.

In 1923 Baker played 2 games for Leicester Tigers.[5]

In early 1924, Baker turned his back on amateur rugby when he signed for professional rugby league team Oldham, making his début on 19 January 1924 against Barrow.[6] While with Oldham, Baker won a cap for Other Nationalities in the 23-17 victory over England at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on 15 October 1924, and both his international appearances for the Wales rugby league team. His first match was on 7 February 1925 played against England at Workington. He had to wait almost three years for his second and final cap, again versus England, in January 1928.[7]

International matches played

Wales (rugby union)

Wales (rugby league)

Other Nationalities (rugby league)

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Ambrose Baker played as a forward, i.e. number 9, in Oldham's 4–21 defeat by Wigan in the 1924 Challenge Cup Final during the 1923–24 season at Athletic Grounds, Rochdale on Saturday 12 April 1924.[8] During Ambrose Baker's time, there was Oldham's 16–3 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1925 Challenge Cup Final during the 1924–25 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, the 3–9 defeat by Swinton in the 1926 Challenge Cup Final during the 1925–26 season at Athletic Grounds, Rochdale, and the 26–7 victory over Swinton in the 1927 Challenge Cup Final during the 1926–27 season at Central Park, Wigan.

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (RL)". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. Ambrose Baker rugby union player profile Scrum.com
  4. Godwin, Terry (1984). The International Rugby Championship 1883-1983. London: Willow Books. p. 142. ISBN 0-00-218060-X.
  5. Farmer, Stuart; Hands, David (2014). Tigers – Official history of Leicester Football Club. The Rugby Development Foundation. p. 431. ISBN 978-0-9930213-0-5.
  6. Jenkins, John M.; et al. (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Rugby Players. Wrexham: Bridge Books. p. 16. ISBN 1-872424-10-4.
  7. Gate, Robert (1986). Gone North: Volume 1. Ripponden: R.E. Gate. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-9511190-0-1.
  8. "1923-1924 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  • England/Wales birth/Death indexes
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