Well-known Kiama sportsman Les Jones passed away on December 14 last year.
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He was farewelled at a private family funeral on December 19.
Les was born in Narrandera in 1933, the fourth child of William and Vera Jones.
In 1939 his father, a painter and sign writer, found work in the area and a house in Jamberoo.
Les played junior cricket and rugby league, and at 16 he played his debut first grade rugby league game in 1949.
In 1951, Jamberoo won the first grade premiership with 18-year-old Les playing five-eighth and his brother Willy playing fullback.
In 1952, Jamberoo won the cricket premiership and Les took 5/26.
Les represented in cricket during this time and played at Country week.
In 1953, he did his National Service at Ingleburn.
In 1956, he was selected to play rugby league for Southern Division with his good mate Bruce Noble.
In 1958, Les and Helen were married in Kiama and moved to Wollongong while he played for Wollongong.
In 1959, Les won the Player of the Year points competition and later that year his first son Craig was born.
After three seasons with Wollongong, Les came back to Jamberoo as captain/coach and Jamberoo won the 1961 premiership.
In 1961, Les, Helen and their family moved to Kiama.
Les left behind his cricket at Jamberoo to play for Kiama. His brother Trevor was already there.
Les played 96 matches as captain of Kiama.
He captained first grade to six premierships in a row from 1967 to 1973.
Les was made a life member of Kiama Cricket Club in 1975.
Les and Helen then played tennis for many years, and when Helen decided to take up golf Les played bowls.
He joined his brother Trevor for many bowls wins in championships and tournaments. In 1996, they became the first brothers to win the South Pacific Pairs.
In mixed bowls Les enjoyed many Championship wins with his brother Trevor and sister-in-law Ros, and niece Bronwyn and her husband Russell.
He is survived by his wife Helen and son Craig, daughter Dale and Ross, son Mark and Nicole and five grandchildren.