On debut today back in the union era was John “Jack” Mitchell in a home 10-4 win against Holbeck. Jack would be an important player for Hunslet in their first eight seasons of Northern Union. Signed from Burley Lawn he was a utility back who played 229 times and scored 25 tries and 8 goals. He played in three County Trials but never got the call up for a cap. He played in the 1898 Championship Play-off and the following year’s Challenge Cup final.
In 1930’s England v Other Nationalities at Halifax there were two Hunslet players on show. Hector Crowther was in the England second row and Les White opposed him at hooker. Other Nationalities won 35-19.
In the 1974 Division Two 2nd leg Play-off match New Hunslet were defending a 4 point lead at York after the first leg. Unfortunately it was far too few points as York ran out comfortable 27-2 winners
This brought an end to New Hunset’s first season in the league. Considering the time they had available to set the club up and assemble a squad just getting through the season was an achievement. A playing record of 7 wins and 19 defeats was no disgrace. Top try scorer was George Clark with 6 and Geoff Nicholls kicked 54 goals for 120 points.
In the 2013 Challenge Cup 3rd round Oldham visited South Leeds and had to return home having lost 10-36.
In 1920 a challenge match was held at Parkside for the benefit of long serving Fred Smith and Bill Jukes. A team of current and former Hunslet players and guests was put together by Billy Batten to face the current Hunslet first team. 7,000 turned up and as 4,000 tickets had been sold and £250 taken at the gate the beneficiaries shared a handsome amount. There could be a frivolous nature to these games but this was taken seriously. Albert Goldthorpe turned out some ten years after his retirement and “played an uncommonly good game” and dropped a “beautiful goal”. Smith and Jukes played for Batten’s team. Hunslet won the match 18-10.
