1983, and following the cup win over Hull Kingston Rovers on the 13th, Hunslet were again favoured with a home draw against First Division foes, although Halifax were at the opposite end of the table to Rovers. A win would see Hunslet progress to the quarter finals and two Graham King tries and one from John Ackland together with three Fitzsimons two pointers and two drop goals put Hunslet through.
In 1991 Hunslet travelled to Craven Park Barrow and two Tim Lumb goals saw them come home with a 4-4 draw. This was the 3rd meeting in with Barrow in 17days and the first two saw what must have been Hunslet’s biggest change in fortunes. The home league game on the 10th had seen Hunslet score eleven tries to one as they won 56-4. A week later, Hunslet were at Barrow in the first round of the Challenge Cup and Barrow turned the last result on it’s head, keeping Hunslet try-less as they beat the visitors 13-8.
Having signed the previous September, Frank “Shanks” Watson was today registered by Hunslet (1941). He made his debut at the start of 1941/42 and went on to make 250 appearances across all the back positions. At the start of 1949, Leeds made an approach for Ginger Burnell which was turned down and they moved their attention to Shanks. He was selected in Hunslet’s team to face Leeds on the 1st October but Friday’s Yorkshire Observer reported he had signed for Leeds and would make his debut at scrum half at Parkside. He had played for Yorkshire the previous week and the programme for the Leeds game quoted a newspaper’s glowing report on his performance. To see him repeat this for Leeds just added to the supporter’s exasperation at his transfer.
The 1909 Challenge Cup started today with Hunslet playing Welsh side Mid Rhondda for the only time. A 25-5 win set up a second round tie against Leeds which was won 15-9 but any ambitions of a second consecutive final appearance disappeared at Belle Vue as Wakefield Trinity won 19-0.
In 1985 forward Andy Marson made his first appearance away at Leigh. Andy had signed from Hunslet Colts and went on to play 88 times, scoring 7 tries before moving to Bramley.
In 1943, Eric Batten and Billy Thornton turned out for England at Wigan against Wales. England won 17-9 in front of 17,000 spectators.
And in 1828 Hector Crowther was involved in the second Tour Trial, playing for the Whites v the Reds at Rochdale. Hector scored a try as his side won 22-13, but, as in1924, it was to end in disappointment as he was overlooked for the tour.
In 1885 we played near-neighbours Bramley for the first time losing a Yorkshire Cup tie 1goal to nil at Woodhouse Hill. And in 1937 we hosted the short-lived Newcastle club for the first time at Parkside, winning 26-0.
