It’s 1908 and Hunslet travelled across the city to meet Leeds in the first round of the Challenge Cup. Having secured the Yorkshire Cup against Halifax in December, hopes were high that a second trophy could see it’s way to Parkside. The teams had met at Parkside the previous Saturday but the game was abandoned after 16 minutes due to high wind and a hail and rain storm. Leeds were at full strength and Hunslet were without full-back Place and centre Walter Goldthorpe. Although Hunslet were 2nd and Leeds 18th in the league table, there was never an easy game between the two rivals and so it proved as Leeds were leading 5-0 at three-quarter time. After the sendings off of Batten and Wade for fighting, Hunslet made a remarkable rally and scored four tries in 10 minutes to go through to round 2.
Other cup matters…. 1885 saw Hunslet play their first cup tie, against Elland at Woodhouse Hill in the Yorkshire Cup, a 2 goals to one win. The 1914 Challenge Cup started on the 28th, but Hunslet’s run ended abruptly with a loss at Rochdale Hornets 3-9.
In 1896 Albert Goldthorpe and Owen Walsh were playing for Yorkshire against Lancashire at Huddersfield today. The White Rose went down 3-8.
Joe Britton, a hooker / prop, made his debut on the 29th February 1936. Despite being understudy to international Les White, Joe made 197 appearances over 13 seasons.
