Candy Evans


Arthur Evans, also known by the nickname of "Candy", was a Welsh boxer, dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He played representative level rugby union for Wales, and at club level for Pontypool RFC, as a lock, i.e. number 4 or 5, and representative level rugby league for Wales, Glamorgan County RLFC, and at club level for Halifax, Leeds, Castleford, Warrington, and Leigh, as a, or, i.e. number 9, or, 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums.

Background

Candy Evans' birth was registered in Abersychan district, Wales, he was a coal miner, on his retirement from boxing and rugby he became a professional gambler, facing substantial debts, he committed suicide aged 48 in Abersychan, Wales.

Playing career

International honours

Candy Evans won caps for Wales while at Pontypool RFC in the 1924 Five Nations Championship against England, Ireland, and France, and won 4 caps for Wales in 1928–1933 while at Halifax, Leeds, Castleford in the 19–23 defeat by England at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Wednesday 18 March 1931, and Warrington.

County honours

Candy Evans won caps playing left-, i.e. number 11 for Glamorgan County RLFC while at Castleford in the 19–12 victory over Cumberland at Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Saturday 21 March 1931, and 12–33 defeat by Yorkshire at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Wednesday 15 April 1931.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Candy Evans played in Warrington's 17-21 defeat by Huddersfield in the 1933 Challenge Cup Final during the 1932–33 season at Wembley Stadium, London, in front of a crowd of 41,784.

Boxing career

Candy Evans was also a boxer, one year going straight from a Welsh rugby union international against Ireland to compete in, and win, the Welsh amateur boxing championship hours later. He later became a professional boxer, though remained better known for his rugby achievements.