7th August….
Back in 1887 Hunslet had signed a player from Kirkstall called Frank Renton. He only played seventeen first team games over two seasons as a half back but would become very well known as a referee. After over 30 years of service the papers were today reporting that he was omitted from the List Of Officials for the upcoming season having announced his retirement. His first major appointments in the Northern Union era were two County matches in 1897. He officiated in three Challenge Cup finals and two Lancashire cup finals. His first international was in 1908 in the Rugby League XIII v Australia match and he took the second Northern Union v Australia Test Match in 1911. He regularly had the whistle for Tour matches against Australia and New Zealand and County Matches and Trial games. Such was the esteem he was held in it was suggested that he be appointed “Guide, Philosopher and Coach” to young referees. He couldn’t take Hunslet games due to his connections to the club but did take Hunslet / Leeds Lazenby Cup games.
The 1954 tour continued through New Zealand with a game against Canterbury today. Ginger Burnell, Dickie Williams and Geoff Gunney played on a saturated pitch. GB played free and open rugby to score 12 tries in an easy win 60-12, Geoff and Alf getting two tries each.
8th August….
Forward Tom Tunningley made his debut in 1900 and had made 78 appearances scoring 4 tries as the 1903/04 season approached. He had played in one Yorkshire match the previous season and was described as one of the club’s best fowards.. His other passion as well as rugby was homing pigeons. During the close season after a race his birds were returning and he reached out to catch one of them, overreached and ruptured a lung. He was taken seriously ill afterwards, never recovering. He passed away of consumption (now known as tuberculosis) today in 1903.
It was the 1960 Lazenby Cup at Parkside tonight. The programme notes announced that after 33 years service to the club Jack Walkington was to step aside due to business commitments, Brian Shaw was to continue as club captain and Dolly Dawson and assitant Jack Booth would be doing the coaching. Former player Jack had the reins of the Juniors and Intermediates over the last few seasons and met with some success on the field and in producing talented first teamers. The signing of three experienced players in Wilf Adams from Wakefield, Stan Moyser from Dewsbury and Vic KInsey from Featherstone was noted. It was also announced that a long planned new road from Dewsbury Road down to the ground was finally going to be completed. The “A” team would compete in the Yorkshire Senior Competition and the Rugby League Combination which would give them three fixtures in Lancashire. Hunslet retained the Lazenby Cup with a 17-10 win.
9th August….
Two days after the Canterbury game Alf and Geoff were called up for the game against North Island. For the first 15 minutes the hosts were on top but the Lions soon got going and ran out 42-7 victors. Alf again got two tries and Geoff one. Both games had been marred by brawls but the referees did not see the need to dismiss anyone.
It was a different story in 1966 when the tourists took on Wellington on a muddy pitch. The home side had the advantage of a strong first half wind and turned around 9-8 in front but GB score 20 unanswered points to run out comfortable 28-9 winners. There were many infringements of the rules, the referee awarding 27 penalties to Wellington against five to GB. On 68 minutes home winger Ron Wood left the field after a heavy tackle and Swinton’s Alan Buckley was sent from the field.
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