Dr. Rees Gabe-Jones was a prominent sportsman and doctor in the Rhondda Valley who played a handful of games for Glamorgan during the early 1890s. His sporting prowess began at Llandovery College and latterly Blundell’s School in Devon, where Rees shone at both cricket and rugby, with the Breconshire-born youngster further honing his sporting and medical skills whilst studying in London. Indeed, his time in the English capital saw him make his rugby debut for London Welsh.
His prowess as a fast-medium bowler, both at school and university, saw him chosen to open the bowling for a Colts XX which met the Glamorgan side in a trial match at the Arms Park in May 1891. He claimed 3/25 from 20 impressive overs, with one of his victims being former Glamorgan captain Edmund David. Further decent performances for the Morriston club saw the young doctor make his debut later in August, against Devon at Exeter, before returning the very impressive figures of 4/5 and 5/42 in the following match against Monmouthshire at Rodney Parade. Rees’ medical studies restricted him to just two further appearances in the county side – in May 1892 against Wiltshire at Swindon and in June 1893 away to Herefordshire. In both cases, he performed with credit, and left Jack Brain wishing he was available on a more frequent basis.
Rees subsequently joined medical practices in Pentre and Tonypandy, before setting up his own in Clydach Vale. He continued to play, when he was free, for the local cricket team but his sporting activities were curtailed after an accident in November 1902 when he fractured his skull after being thrown from his horse whilst visiting a patient. He lay unconscious in hospital for three days, but recovered from the incident.
He subsequently enjoyed swimming and during June 1910 became a founding member of the Rhondda Golf Club. His son Royston Gabe-Jones played for Glamorgan at the age of fifteen in 1922.
JONES, Rees Gabe (later Rees GABE-JONES).
Born – Vaenor, Breconshire, 7 November 1871.
Died – Clydach Vale, 9 November 1927.
Batting and Fielding Record
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| MC Friendlies | 4 | 5 | 2 | 21 | 7.00 | – | – | 1 | – |
Bowling Record
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| MC Friendlies | 453 | 34 | 148 | 18 | 8.22 | 1 | – |
Career-best performances
Minor County Friendlies – 17*v Herefordshire at Hereford, 1893 and 5/42 v Monmouthshire at Rodney Parade, Newport, 1891.