In 2019, nine new players were on show at Doncaster in the opening game of the campaign. They were Dale Bloomfield, Reece Dean, Mike Emmett, Vila Halafihi, Dan Hawksworth, Ben Heaton, Danny Nicklas, Gareth Potts and Adam Robinson. As is the nature of the game these days, most of these only played one season at South Leeds Stadium, Halafihi being the longest serving with 44 games in 3 seasons before moving to Sheffield Eagles. Vila had Hunslet heritage as his Dad, Nick, played on loan from Sheffield Eagles in 1991. His grandfather, Nan played for Hull and Doncaster.
In 1932 the first of two tour trials was held to select the touring party for that summer’s tour. Dai Jenkins was in the pack for The Reds and Harry Beverley similarly for The Whites. The Reds won but neither player was invited to tour. To show the popularity of Rugby League at the time, the two Trial games were played on Wednesday afternoons and the attendances were 4,000 at Fartown and 11,000 at Headingley.
In 1954, Jack Evans played in a Tour trial for Great Britain Reds versus Whites at Headingley and ended 17-17. Jack was not invited to tour.
Towards the end of the 1969/70 season, Hunslet were heading for a lowly finish of 23rd out of 30 teams in the league. However, this didn’t stop the Welsh selectors picking both Hunslet half-backs for their match against England at Headingley in the European Championship. . Phil Morgan and Cliff Williams couldn’t prevent a 26-7 defeat.
Things don’t change… the programme for today, 1912, reports that supporters travelling by train to Huddersfield were delayed by the ticket office insisting that tickets should be bought in a block, not singly. When everyone arrived time was tight and they just got to the train on time but the porter refused to unlock the doors to allow everyone on. When asked when was the next train, they were told “Don’t know”.
