Where do you start with Garfield Owen's achievements in the World of Rugby, probably in the place he was born and bred, Llanharan. Garfield started his club rugby career playing Full Back in his home village of Llanharan, a place he loved even after spending many years living in the North of England. From there his Union career took him to Maesteg,Wrexham and Newport RFC. He was capped by Wales 6 times and also played for the Barbarians. In 1956 he decided to head North and signed for Halifax RLC. His career in League probably eclipsed his Union career. In 1958 he was picked to play for the Rugby League XIII and in 1958 he played for Wales RL. He was also given the honour of being inducted in to the Halifax RLC Hall of Fame. He also became one of only 20 Welshmen to score over a 1000 pts in his career at Halifax. In 1961 he left Halifax for Keighley, where he scored another 705pts, before retiring in 1965. Most of us are far to young to remember him playing but ex Llanharan, Maesteg and LLanelli wing Colin Donovan remembers him coming to his house to see his father and also met him in the WREX bar on International days. He recalls him being very proud of Llanharan, while Steve Rossiter, who also met him, describes him as"a very talented sportsman and a true gent". Garfield's photo hangs proudly on the wall in Llanharan Rugby Club, as a reminder of a great man. We send our condolences to Garfield's family from all at Llanharan Rugby Club.
Footnote to the above:
Since this article was written Club Secretary Alan Jenkins has delved in to the club's history books to find further information around Garfield. In the season he was first capped 1954/55, he played the first 2 games of that season for Llanharan against Pencoed and Newport Utd. He had been selected to play for Wales against England on January 2nd. 1955 but had to pull out after gashing his knee on snow covered brambles during the run out at Glamorgan Wanderers the thursday before the game. He eventually won his first cap on March 12th. 1955 against Ireland.