In the 2012 programme for today’s match with York, coach Barry Eaton revealed that the players had introduced a “Wally Of The Week” award for a player who may have done something daft or unexpected. The “winner” had to wear a monkey suit at the next training session. Barry wouldn’t go into details except to reveal that Andy Yates was the first winner and Josh Nathaniel the second.
The Second World War was a difficult time for the club as players were called up or worked in reserved occupations (Hunslet was an engineering area which is where many were employed) although for some the war would make up a large part of their career. Doug Billings, back-row forward, was one such. He was registered today in 1940 and became a regular in the team for six seasons making 100 appearances and scoring 6 tries. He played in both legs of the 1944 Yorkshire Cup final.
Having signed from Hartlepool Red Rose RU, Joseph Walter Guerin made his debut today in 1911 against Bramley. He played in 15 regular and 2 war-time seasons, making 373 appearances, with 107 tries and 398 goals. He was a tall man for the times and soon drew the eye of the Tour selectors and after playing in the Trial match was selected to tour in 1914. He played 9 matches on the tour but did not get the nod for the Test Matches. After the War, Walter played representative matches for Yorkshire and he appeared in a further Tour Trial kicking 5 goals and getting a try. He was invited to tour but had to withdraw due to injury.
Keith Whitehead also made his debut today in 1960 at home to Hull Kingston Rovers. He played in the first team over eight season and made 56 appearances. It’s a shame “A” team records are so sketchy as we cannot get a true picture of the contribution players like Keith made to the club.
Cup ties today were 1899 and the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup. With a wind described as a “hurricane” Hunslet faced the “brilliant and all-conquering” Hull fifteen. A mark was called in the first half a long way from goal, but Albert G kicked a “beautiful” wind assisted goal. Late in the first half he made a break and passed to Jack Wright who scored in the corner. There was still time for Albert to drop a goal and it was 7-0 at half time but Hull would have the benefit of the wind. Tom Gillings scored a further drop goal and Hunslet went through to their first Challenge Cup semi-final.
It seems strange but in ten seasons Hunslet and Leeds had only played each other on two occasions, both cup matches. In 1893 Hunslet paid their first visit to Headingley winning 12-10 to make it 3-0 against their rivals. A little earlier in 1887 Hunslet had travelled to York for the first time winning by one goal to nil.
Running alongside the league games in the early 2000s was the National League / Northern Rail Cup, usually a mini-league with a knock out at the end. Hunslet did not seem to take this competition too seriously but in 2011 qualified for the knock-out stages for the first time. A visit from Featherstone Rovers put paid to any ambitions they might have had, losing 12-50.
