Raiding the Valleys

Steve Calline’s history and analysis of the many Welshmen who have graced the Hunslet club reaches its third stage, coinciding with the change of the name of the sport from Northern Union to Rugby League.

JONES, E Morgan

Known as `Moggie’. A devastating tackler who was popular and later captained Hunslet. Signed from Treorchy, where he played representative rugby. Played for Hunslet from 1920-21 until 1926-27, making 158 appearances, kicking twelve goals and claiming 27 tries. A definite SUCCESS.

SAGE, Charles

Another recruit from Mountain Ash in 1920-21, and a long serving forward, retiring in 1927-8. He played in 196 games, scoring nine goals and eleven tries, and also played for a Welsh representative team on three occasions. A definite SUCCESS.

KNIGHT, Edgar

A Welsh forward who had played for Yorkshire and was recruited from Otley RU. Only played one game, in 1920-21. A FAILURE.

WILLIAMS, Charles Arthur

Signed from Senghenydd in 1920-21 and played one game, in the centre. Unfortunately, he injured a knee in a reserve game and couldn’t ever shake it off. Verdict: UNLUCKY.

METCALFE, Thomas G

Signed from Neath prior to the 1921-22 season. Unsure if he played in the first game of that season as Hunslet had two other Metcalfes on the books at the time. Opinion: FAILURE.

HALE, Stanley

Signed from Crumlin along with his brother, making a wing and centre partnership that got some good reviews in the press. 1921-22 and the scouts were still out in South Wales. In two seasons he played 36 games and scored two tries, before being transferred to Bradford Northern. Average SUCCESS.

HALE, Trevor

The same description could be written almost of his brother. However, Trevor played in 51 games and kicked one goal to go with nine tries. They were described as good tacklers and Trevor was a first team member until 1923-24. Moderate SUCCESS.

PRITCHARD, GG

In 1920-21, he played one trial game under the pseudonym of ‘Brown’ at fullback. FAILURE!

REES, Evan

Played in the same game as Pritchard, at stand-off, under the name of ‘Wallace’. Possibly moved to Batley as returning to rugby union was not usually an option. FAILURE.

THOMAS, Johnny

Registered in 1920-21 from Tredegar. Never played in the first team. FAILURE.

WILLIAMS, WE

1922-23 and he was registered, but never played in the first team. FAILURE.

GAGON, Frank

Signed in 1922-23 and played one game under the name of `Jones’. FAILURE.

HORWOOD, Walter Sidney

Signed from Cardiff in 1922-23. A goal-kicking centre or wing. Won the match in his first outing by kicking the goal in a 2-0 win against Warrington. Played in 15 games ‘on the bounce’ in that season and scored eight goals and five tries, including a hat-trick against Featherstone. Left at the season’s end as he couldn’t find a job in Leeds and, despite the club finding him a position the following year, he never returned. A quality player who was a SUCCESS.