22nd November….
After the abandoned Yorkshire Cup semi-final of 1905 the replay at Parkside took place today. Hunslet were at full strength but Rovers had to make three changes from the first game. Hunslet winger Charlie Ward opened the scoring on five minutes after a break by Albert Everson. Shortly after their lead should have been extended when Charlie’s brother Willie dropped the ball in the act of scoring. Charlie was in everything at this time as he saved a try with a timely tackle and then took a pass from Albert Goldthorpe to score in the corner. Walter Goldthorpe kicked a penalty close to half-time and still found time to feed brother Albert for another try. Hunslet went into the break 14-0 up. Hunslet’s fine defence repelled Hull’s attacks in the second-half and it was ten minutes from time before they finally got over the line for their only score. Hunslet progressed to the first Northern Union Yorkshire Cup final to face Halifax by the margin of 14-3.
After being promoted together in 1986/87 Hunslet and Swinton faced each other twice in the first part of the Division One season and two more different games couldn’t be imagined as both were drawn. In September Swinton visited Elland Road and both sides scored five tries and six goals in a 32-32 draw, the highest score in a Division One drawn game. Swinton were the most aggrieved as they allowed Hunslet to score a try under the posts which Alan Platt converted with the last kick of the game. And today in the reverse fixture defences were on top. Hunslet went ahead when Jimmy Irvine fed Neil Rudd for a try and could have been further ahead when Terry Webb had a try disallowed but he was certain he had touched down before being rolled onto his back. An Alan Platt penalty was two points all the way before the strong wind took it at the last moment and it hit the crossbar to bounce out. On 68 minutes Swinton winger Tex Evans looked to have been tackled on to the corner flag (no try in those days) but the referee said it was a fair try and it ended 4-4.
Workington Town came to Yorkshire today in 1980 to face Hunslet at Mount Pleasant, Batley in the first round of the John Player Trophy. Tries from Ian Nicholson (2) and Peter Muscroft together with 3 Chris Walker goals took Hunslet through 15-5.
Back to 1911 with Cumberland playing the Australasian tourists at Maryport. Forward William Pearson made the journey to the North-West but couldn’t help his team prevent a 2-5 defeat.
William Pearson
Two players in Glamorgan & Monmouthshire’s front row in Dai Jenkins and Les White came up against Lancashire at Salford in 1930. The unfancied Welshmen’s forwards played a solid if unspectacular game and came through to beat their hosts 14-10, virtually handing Yorkshire the County title.
1958’s international between a Rugby League XIII and France at St Helens included Geoff Gunney and Brian Shaw in the pack and Brian Gabbitas at stand-off. Criticism came to the all-Yorkshire pack after the game for their unintelligent play which is probably well-founded as Brian Bevan and Tom Van Vollenhoven were on the wings and barely got a pass. France won 26-8.
In 1930 George Chapman bagged 4 tries in a 41-4 win over Bradford Northern at Parkside, a record for a Hunslet forward.
George Chapman
23rd November….
In 1907 Hunslet continued to contest their first cup competition of the season, the Yorkshire Cup 2nd round against Leeds at Parkside. Having won the inaugural competition two seasons ago it would be a great incentive for Hunslet to be the first to win it twice. 7,000 people gathered to watch a rain soaked first half as Hunslet took the field without injured Walter Goldthorpe. Leeds opened the scoring with drop goal but soon undid this as they dropped a pass from a scrum which was picked up by Tubby Brookes who passed to Bill Jukes to scored a try and Albert converted. Soon after there was another Hunslet raid as Billy Eagers broke and put in a cross-field kick which Freddie Farrar picked up in style to go over. AEG again added the extras. 10-2 at half-time. Early in the second half Goldthorpe dropped a goal before Charlie Ward raced over. Goldthorpe again converted as he guided a difficult kick with a sodden ball sweetly between the posts. Leeds made a late fightback with 2 tries (one an obstruction) and a goal but Hunslet’s lead was never in danger and it was on to the semi-final.
Hunslet brought many players over from New Zealand in the mid to late 70s and in 1979 winger Ronnie SI’ulepa added to the list as he made his debut at Salford. Before his return home he made 17 consecutive appearances scoring five tries.
Ronnie Si’ulepa
