Having played Yorkshire Amateurs in the First Leg of the Yorkshire Cup tie and secured a 33 point advantage Hunslet were expected to finish the job easily and on the pitch they did, winning 26-2, Freddie Williamson getting his second hat-trick of the tie.. However the attendances of 2,437 and 801 realised takings of only £150 and £70 meaning a loss to the club of around £250.
Swinton were the visitors today in 1981 to open the new season. The programme reported that Paul Daley had been re-appointed as Team Manager with Keith Cotton as his assistant. Dave Mawson would be looking after the Colts. There was unhappiness at the allocation of three mid-week league games. As “home” was to be Mount Peasant, Batley where there were no floodlights meaning an early kick-off which would affect the gate. This was despite four Sundays being available as alternatives. The Rugby league had also allocated Hunslet and Batley home games on the 27th March – they told the clubs to sort it out between themselves.
Making their debuts today in 1913 were two Bowens. Winger Edward had signed in May from Gloucester RU. He was a promising junior and was selected for a schoolboy international trial but couldn’t play due to illness. He played for the Garrison team in Bristol and while there was also the Bristol Services middle-weight boxing champion. Full-back Matt signed from Purston White Horse in July. Both player’s careers were interrupted by the war (Matt served with the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) restricting their appearances to 50 (Ed) and 46 (Matt).
Edward Bowen
In 1992 Australian Paul Beath had signed three day earlier after arriving from Toronto Workers and made his debut today at Keighley. He had played in New South Wales Rugby League for Manly and Canberra and against Great Britain for NSW Country Firsts on the 1992 Tour down-under. He was at Hunslet for two seasons making 54 appearances and scoring 20 tries as a centre or loose forward.
Paul Beath
