1927 saw the debut of one of Hunslet’s future Lions tourists, Harry Beverley. Starting out with an away game at Wakefield Trinity (lost 10-13 but Harry scored a try), he played 326 matches and scored 79 tries and 1 goal in 11 seasons before moving to Halifax. He played in two Yorkshire Cup finals and the 1934 Challenge Cup final, where he scored a try. His representative career began with Yorkshire in 1929 and included England and Great Britain. He played in the 1932 Tour Trial but was not selected but reversed this in 1936. On the tour he played in all three Tests against Australia. After transferring to Halifax he continued his International and County careers and played 112 matches, scoring 16 tries. He is a member of Halifax’s Hall Of Fame. He later coached at Wakefield Trinity and Bramley.
Harry Beverley
1932/33’s attempt at tidying up scrums had started and today six hookers were sent off including Hunslet’s Harry Leonard. All six received four match bans.
Cup-ties today were 1938’s Yorkshire Cup first round tie at Odsal. Hunslet won the match 20-7 but it was injuries which determined the outcome. Hunslet lost Jack Walkington with a badly damaged hip and right leg but Northern had no fewer than three players going off with injuries and four more carrying heavy knocks. Unusually, one paper listed the penalties conceded – Hunslet gave away 19 to Northern’s 4. Hunslet’s were 6 at the play the ball, 7 at the scrum, 3 for offside, 2 for obstruction and 1 following a caution. Bradford’s were all for offside.
In 1949 when first round ties were played over two legs Dewsbury were the visitors to Parkside. They built up an eight point lead before Hunslet reduced the arrears late on to 7-10. It would be tough game for Hunslet in the second leg three days later. Captain Les Williams got a noisy welcome from his team mates and the crowd when it was announced his wife had just given birth to twins.
In 1954 Batley came down from The Mount but returned home empty handed as Hunslet won 17-10. Playing his first game since he returned from the Tour Down Under, new captain Dickie Williams left the field with recurrence of knee ligament trouble received in New Zealand. Bad news for Hunslet with a trip to Bradford in the quarter final to come.
Dickie Willams
In 2023 having finished 2nd in the league behind Dewsbury, Hunslet hosted 3rd placed Doncaster in the Play-Offs but lost 14-26. There would be another chance to progress a week later at home to North Wales Crusaders.
Season 2006 ended today with a heavy defeat at home to Sheffield Eagles 16-48. It brought the curtain down on a difficult season, finishing 10th out of 12 in National League 2. Four wins and a Challenge Cup victory over East Hull was all that could be managed. If there was a highlight it would be the 45-22 win over Blackpool Panthers at home having lost 12-14 to them earlier in the season. No player hit double figures in the try scoring, Ian Brown and Darren Robinson getting seven each. Tony Williams was top goals (450 and points (96).
Progress in the League One Shield in 2017 continued with an easy 60-16 win at Hemel Stags.
