!n 1987, on a Wednesday night, Hunslet were beating Featherstone Rovers at Post Office Road in the Cup. This was the first victory for the new club at Fev.
There is a future quiz question from this match – which club won an away cup tie under their own lights? Answer – Hunslet. When they left the Greyhound Stadium, they sold their lights to Rovers.
In 1989, Steve Lay was selected for Great Britain Under 21s to face France at Carpentras. Steve came on a sub for Shaun Irwin as GB lost 8-16.
1977 saw New Hunslet secure the services of Geoff Wright, a second rower from Castleford amateur rugby. He was with the club until 1984, played 161 times and scored 11 tries.
In 1920, forward Walter Guerin played in a Tour Trial. He had toured with The Lions in 1914 and in this Trial at Headingley he scored a try and 5 goals as Northern Union East beat West 37-16. He was selected for the second Trial but withdrew due to injury and missed out on his chance of a second tour down under.
In 1926, Charlie Sage, the Welsh forward, became our first player to represent Other Nationalities. Against England at Whitehaven, Charlie was on the losing side, 11-37.
The 1908/09 Australian tourist were at Carlisle today to play Cumberland. Billy Eagers was at full back and James Parkinson (1 try) on the wing. Cumberland won 11-2.
There were a couple of debutants on the 4th of February…..
1939 saw Aubrey Casewell in a try scoring debut, a Challenge Cup tie against United Glass Blowers, a junior club from St Helens. He played 74 games and scored 20 tries. He also played for Halifax, Keighley, Leeds and Salford.
While we talk about Hunslet’s All Four Cups, Aubrey is one of only six players to achieve winners medals in all six cups! He won medals for Challenge Cup, Championship, Yorkshire Cup and League to go with the Lancashire Cup and League while at Salford.
After his playing career, he served as Leeds & District ARL secretary for many years.
James Deacon, a forward played his first game in 1893 at Bramley and played for seven seasons. He played 146 games and scored 13 tries. He played in the Championship Play-off game against Bradford in 1898 and in two County Trials, but did not make the County team.
The 4th was also the first time we visited the new club in the North-East, Gateshead Thunder, and it is pleasing to report we came back south with a 26-12 win under our belts. Gateshead, of course, later became Newcastle Thunder.
