Hooker Les White was on international duty today in 1932 in the third Test against New Zealand in Auckland. Great Britain had won the first two Tests so this was a dead rubber but New Zealand were playing for pride and GB for a clean sweep. The kiwis raced into a 5-0 lead early on but the tourists equalised before the New Zealanders got a try and Gus Risman again equalised to make it 8-8 at half-time. Risman would make an appearance as a guest for Hunslet during WW2. New Zealand dominated the second half and were 18-12 ahead going into the final stages but two very late tries and a conversion saw GB home.

In 1966 Bill Ramsey was also on Test duty in Auckland in the second Test against the Kiwis. Britain had won the first Test comfortably but as it was only a two match series needed a win for the series. Despite having a penalty count of 24-8 in their favour, New Zealand only looked like scoring at the beginning and end of the game and the tourists eased to a 22-14 win.

Bill Ramsey

The 1955/56 season opened today with a home game with Swinton. The programme hoped for a better start than the previous season when, with three tourist absent and a number of injuries, only half the expected first XIII played in the first few games. There were two regulars out already with injuries, Alan Snowden getting a shoulder injury in the Lazenby Cup match and Eric Backhouse having trouble with last season’s dislocated shoulder. Arthur Clues was to be team captain this season. There were no new signings of note but one issue all clubs had to deal with was highlighted – young players being absent due to National Service. Back in civilian life in the next few weeks would be Brian Gabbitas, Dennis Tate, Colin Noble, Lou Artis and Norman Reynard. The club did put on record their thanks to the Commanding Officers who would release players to their clubs whenever possible. Two rule changes were the introduction of a smaller ball and the three-yard play the ball rule – a long way from our current 10 metres!! Club Chairman Hector Rawson had been elected Vice-Chairman of the Rugby League and the cricket section of the club had won their League Championship.

The1956/57 season also opened on the 20th. The usual hopes of an injury free season were expressed in the programme for the first game against Wakefield and the efforts of the youth sides the previous seasons were highlighted. The “A” team reached the semi’s of both league and cup competitions despite having to call up intermediates due to first team call-ups and the Juniors and Intermediates won all five cups on offer to them. Jack Walkington was to continue as first team coach, assisted this season by Harold Moxon, previously a Featherstone player and coach. Missing from the team this season would be Les Williams. Jack Evans, Ted Carroll, Freddie Williamson and Walt Burnell and all were thanked for their exceptional service. New signings were Alan Preece from the intermediates and George Moody who had assisted the “A” team last season when National Service allowed. Arthur Clues would continue as captain.

1978/79 opened with an Esso Yorkshire Cup tie at York. Their programme sympathised with our relegation from the first division at the end of last season and also reported that Paul Daley had resigned as coach with Bill Ramsey replacing him. Hunslet secretary Dickie Harrison was previously Assistant Secretary at York it was noted.

A number of players made their debuts today;-

Alan “Moose” Preece made his debut in the Wakefield fixture above. He would have a stella career at Hunslet, spanning 14 seasons and 381 games, scoring 85 tries. He played in three Yorkshire Cup finals, the Championship final and the 1965 Wembley final. He left Hunslet in October 1970 when Leeds approached him to be their “A” Team player coach.

Alan “Moose” Preece

Bob Gaitley wore the Hunslet colours for the first time in the first team today in 1972 at Huyton.He had signed from Townville ARLFC and played 24 times in the old club’s last season. He transferred to Oldham when the club folded but was back at New Hunslet by the middle of their first season to make a further 123 appearances scoring 177 goals and 22 tries. In 1975/76 he kicked 100 goals and got 3 tries setting points and goals in a season records for the new club.

Bob Gaitley

In the same game at Huyton Phil Horrocks also made his bow. He would make 76 appearances and score 16 tries over three seasons with the club.

Phil Horrocks