Barry Cumberlege

Barry Stephenson Cumberlege, OBE (5 June 1891 – 22 September 1970) was an English sportsman who played international rugby union for England. He also played first-class cricket.

Cumberlege, who was educated at Durham School, was the son of Charles Cumberlege, a first-class cricketer for Surrey. He was a double Blue at Cambridge University, for cricket and rugby. A fullback, he captained the Cambridge University R.F.C. in 1912. The following year he made his first-class debut for the Cambridge University Cricket Club, having previously played Minor Counties cricket for both Durham and Northumberland. He also made an appearance for the Free Foresters team, against Cambridge University and scored the only century of his first-class career, an innings of 172, opening the batting.^[1]

During the war he served with the Army Service Corps of the 3rd Cavalry Division and was twice mentioned in despatches. He received an OBE in 1918 for his military service.

After the war, Cumberlege played rugby for Blackheath and was called up to the national team.^[2] He took part in three Five Nations Championships, including their successful 1920 and 1921 campaigns.^[3]

Cumberlege played a total of six first-class cricket matches for Kent in 1923 and 1924. His six matches for Kent brought his final tally to 14 first-class matches, from which he scored 763 runs at 38.15.^[4]

He was a referee in 16 rugby Tests, from 1926 to 1934.

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