William Hall (27 January 1889 – fourth ¼ 1964) was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s and 1920s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Gloucester RFC, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Oldham, as a centre or stand-off.[1]

Billy Hall
Godfrey Phillips Cigarette card featuring William Hall
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Hall
Born27 January 1889
Gloucester, England
Diedfourth ¼ 1964 (aged 74)
Lancaster, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m)
Weight10 st 7 lb (67 kg)
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1913–13 Gloucester RFC
Rugby league
PositionCentre, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1913–25 Oldham 250 53 2 163
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1914–21 England 2 0 0 0 0
1914 Great Britain 4 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2][3]

Background

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Billy Hall was born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire.[4]

Playing career

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International honours

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Billy Hall won caps for England (RL) while at Oldham in 1914 against Wales, in 1921 against Australia,[2] and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Oldham in 1914 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand.[3]

Billy played in the famous "Rorkes Drift" test against Australia in 1914, where Great Britain were level going into the third test. Great Britain were winning 9-3 and due to injuries were down to 10 men against 13 for the last 30 minutes. Hall was one of those injured with concussion and came back onto the field with ten minutes to go. Great Britain were victorious, and won 14–6.

Club career

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In 1913, both Billy Hall, and Dave Holland left Gloucester RFC to join Oldham, following Alf Wood who had made the same journey in 1908. Alf Wood and Dave Holland both played at Oldham until 1921, and Billy Hall played there until 1925. All three men played in Great Britain's "Rorke's Drift" Test match against Australia in 1914, with Alf Wood kicking the four goals that would be the difference in the end.

Championship final appearances

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Billy Hall played at centre in Oldham's 2–13 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1921–22 season at The Cliff, Broughton on Saturday 6 May 1922.[5]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

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Billy Hall played at centre 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.[6]

Family information

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Billy was one of seven brothers who all played rugby union for Gloucester RFC. His older brother Charles "Charley" Hall played two tests for England (RU) in 1901 against Ireland, and Scotland.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". Rugby League Project. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Matchday Programme – Warrington versus Oldham". Mackie and Co. Ltd. Printers. Warrington. 31 December 1921. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "1921–1922 Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ^ "1923–1924 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Charles Hall's Statistics at en.espn.co.uk". en.espn.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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