As Hunslet’s time as a Rugby Union club was coming to an end a signing was made of a forward who would play an important role in establishing them in the Northern Union. Harry Barraclough made his debut today in 1894 at home to Devon Nomads. He played 19 games as a Union player, scoring two tries and a further 146 games and 12 tries under the Northern Union. Harry played in the 1898 Championship play-off final. At the turn of the century he transferred to Hull but returned the following season. He emigrated to Canada at the end of his rugby career.
International selectors called upon Hunslet players for two games today. The first in 1935 was the France v England international with stand-off George Todd and forward Len Smith on the ferry to Paris. Len with two and George were the England try scorers in a 15-15 draw.
The 1942 County match at Dewsbury against Lancashire required the services of Eric Batten who scored two tries as Yorkshire won 13-2.
In the cup competitions 1891’s Yorkshire Cup 4th round draw paired Hunslet with Huddersfield at Fartown. In a Keenly fought match Huddersfield progressed to the semi-final 1 goal to nil. Bill Townsend of Hunslet was sent off for rough play.
In 1908 having won the Yorkshire Cup and already secured the Yorkshire League trophy, Hunslet were eyeing a semi-final place in the Challenge Cup but had a long journey to Barrow for the match. A 12,000 crowd included 700 from Hunslet who had travelled by special train. This was double Barrow’s previous best attendace at Cavendish Park. The first half was a tight affair with Billy batten scoring just before the whistle. Two minutes into the second half Albert Goldthorpe dropped a goal. A dropped Barrow pass close to their own line saw John Smales take full advantage and touch down to give Hunslet an 8-0 win and a place in their second semi-final of the season
1885 saw our first visit to Lawkholme Lane to play Keighley. The result was a nil-nil draw. And in 1896 we paid our first visit to Mount Pleasant in the Northern Union era, beating Batley 9-3 in a league match.
