Debutants today included………
Back in 1884, signing from Hunslet Imperial, Tom Groves took the field in the home fixture against Outwood Church. He played 212 games over 10 seasons for Hunslet and was a member of the 1892 team which secured their first silverware with the Yorkshire Cup. He played in two County trials bit never got the call-up.
In 1944, Ken Traill made his bow at Parkside against Oldham. He’d signed from Hunslet Supporters for £200 and went on to make 52 appearances. He was the son of James, a forward in the 20s and 30s, and his brother Andy played for Keighley. He played in both legs of the 1944 Yorkshire Cup Final and moved on to Bradford Northern in 1947. He went on to be a Great Britain, England and Yorkshire representative, touring down under in 1950 and 1954. He also played for Halifax, Leeds and Wakefield Trinity.
In 1959, Terry Robbins moved north from Swansea RU. With the likes of Gunney, Poole, Shaw and Eyre vying for the back three places, it was always going to be difficult to become a regular. It is said that the club wanted to bring Terry on to play prop, but there was competition here too and he moved on Bradford Northern in 1961 He later played for Bramley and gained a Wales cap in 1963. He was a well known publican around Leeds including the Fforde Green.
In 1930 Yorkshire played Glamorgan and Monmouthshire at Parkside. On the White Rose side, George Todd was at stand-off and scored a try while Hector Crowther was in the pack. For the Welshmen, Les White was at hooker and scored a try as his side won 13-
Jack Walkington was called up for England in 1944 against Wales, some 16 years after his representative debut. At Wigan, the match was drawn 9-9.
The 1910 Challenge Cup started today and Hunslet were drawn at home to Widnes. Jenkinson and Wilson scored tries to take Hunslet through 6-0. A 2-2 draw at Parkside and a 5-2 win in the replay took Hunslet into the quarter finals but that was the end of their progress as they lost 0-7 at Warrington.
