2nd December….
The Rugby League introduced the County Cups in 1905 and Hunslet progressed through the rounds to feature in the first Final against Halifax at Park Avenue, Bradford. There were 18,000 present to see Halifax take the lead in the first few minutes with an unconverted try. Walter Goldthorpe should have had a try but was obstructed although no penalty was awarded. Shortly after it was Albert Everson being obstructed and this time the penalty was given and Walter kicked the goal. Walter was soon back in the action chasing back and clearing a kick through which was narrowly missed by Halifax. Just before half-time brother Albert landed a drop goal to make it 4-3 at the break. Hunslet’s forwards got on top in the second half, Albert dropped a goal then made a mark which Walter converted. Another goal by Albert and a Charlie Ward try sealed a 13-3 win for Hunslet.
Halifax provided the opposition again in the same competition in 1944 and today it was the first leg at Parkside. Bad weather took it’s toll on both sides but Halifax proved to be the stronger as they won 12-3, Colin Stansfield getting Hunslet’s try.
In 1983 Hunslet’s “A” team travelled to the Boulevard to face Hull in the Yorkshire Senior Competition Cup final. It proved to be a difficult night for Hunslet as they were 22-0 behind before Andy Tosney got a try and goal on 63 minutes and Billy Foley added a consolation try before the end. Hull won 28-10. Hunslet’s team was Andy Kay, Steve Hullock, Neil Rudd, Kevin Olbison, Billy Foley, Andy Tosney, Keith Mitchell, Andy Bateman, Andrew Payne, Peter Brown, Billy Bowden, K Moran, Roy Sampson – subs Andrew Farrar and Peter Lunn.
The first day of the 2002 season was actually played today in 2001 and Hunslet visited Hull Kingston Rovers with seven new recruits on debut, these being Lee Bargate, Jonlee Lockwood, Tim Rumford, Paul Seal, Ben Thornton, Stuart Turton and Andy Way. Paul would be the longest serving playing for six seasons in122 matches and scoring 24 tries.
In 1990’s Regal Trophy Hunslet made the short journey to Belle Vue Wakefield but came away empty handed. A lone Tim Lumb penalty provided Hunslet’s only first half-points as Wakefield led 20-2 and it was only with the last passing move of the game that Andy Marson got a try which Lumb converted – 40-8 to Wakefield.
3rd December….
In 2000 George Rayner made his debut at home to Keighley Cougars. His Hunslet career spanned ten seasons in which he played 129 games and scored 63 tries. He had spells at Sheffield, York and Keighley and was selected for the National League Two All Stars Team in 2004.
George Rayner
The only cup-tie played today was 1989’s Regal Trophy First round home tie against Barrow who were a division above their hosts. John Adams hit the post with a 7th minute penalty but followed up to catch a Barrow player in possession behind his line. The drop out led to James Lowes shrugging off two defenders and scored a try converted by Adams. Hunslet were playing with a number a players who were not fully fit and Barrow tried to capitalise on this throwing the ball around to stretch Hunslet and got their reward when Michael Jackson had the ball stripped in a tackle and Barrow equalised. Barrow had a try disallowed for a forward pass as it was level 6-6 at half-time. In the second half it was largely all Barrow as they dominated possession but there should have been a try to Steve Langton when he latched on to Lowes chip kick but ref John Holdsworth ruled him offside. On 65 minutes prop Richard Brook barged his way through for a try next to the posts following Langton’s break. Adams somehow managed to miss the easy conversion but Hunslet held on in a hard-tackling last 25 minutes to go through 10-6.
4th December….
Coming north from Wales to make his debut in 1920 was forward Charlie Sage. From Mountain Ash he was a Glamorgan Rugby Union county player. He would play for Hunslet for eight seasons and make 196 appearances and score 11 tries. He represented Wales twice and Other Nationalities once. He has family connections to the club being Grandfather of David Brook and Great Grandfather of Bryn Powell.
Charlie Sage
In 1909 England played Wales at Wakefield. Hunslet were well represented with Billy Batten, Herbert Place and Fred Smith in the backs and Bill Jukes in the pack. Herbert only got his place because Leigh full-back Clarkson missed his train. The match started with confusion as England played in white and Wales in red shirts but Welsh full-back Frank Young of Leeds had to wear a white jersey. Wales made an early break in which Young got the ball and Tyson, the England winger, let him past believing him to be team-mate and Wales gained a try. Young was then handed a Wakefield shirt for the remainder of the match. Billy Batten scored a try as England went on to win 19-13
The Americas Group in the 2015 World Cup Qualifiers were underway in America and Hunslet provided two players for Jamaica today. Richie Barnett and the recently returned Mo Agoro being in their side against the United States in Jacksonville, Florida. The USA won 20-14. Jamaica also included others with Hunslet connections – Wayne Reittie, Alex Brown, Danny Thomas and Ross Peltier.
