Ray Bale, who led the Cardiff pack in their 14-3 win over the New Zealand Services team of 1945 and in their memorable match against the 1945-46 ‘Kiwis’, that was lost by 3-0, has died in his home city.
Bale played 176 times for the Cardiff club, beginning in 1934-35 and ending in 1948-49, would have played many more times if it were not for the Second World War.
He began as a prop forward, but his height meant a move to the second row, being Cardiff’s vice-captain in 1945-46 under skipper Dr Jack Matthews. The Wales and Lions centre.
Bale and his pack supplied good well to enable large crowds to witness brilliant back play by the likes of Matthews, Bleddyn Williams and Billy Cleaver, who all appeared in the Lions team of 1950 in New Zealand and Australia. He will be sadly missed.