Today in 2016 Hunslet travelled to Rochdale Hornets, the last time they would play under the moniker “Hunslet Hawks”. From 2017 they would revert to “Hunslet RLFC”.
A number of County Championship games were played today which involved Hunslet players. In 1957 versus Cumberland at The Boulevard, Hull, Geoff Gunney and Sam Smith were in the Yorkshire pack. The papers were of the opinion that Yorkshire were undoubtably the better side, Cumberland having a number of reserves in their team due to injuries. Cumberland got off to a bright start but by half-time the White Rose were in front 12-2. In the second -half Yorkshire scored regularly but couldn’t quite shake off their visitors who scored four tries themselves. They did however run out 27-18 winners.
It was Lancashire at St Helens in 1963. Fred Ward was among the forwards and Geoff Shelton in the centre. Unfortunately Vince Karalius and Alex Murphy put Yorkshire to the sword, 23-5 at half-time and 45-20 at the close. Ward was mentioned as a consideration for international recognition with his strong running at loose-forward.
Cumberland again provided the opposition in 1968 with Robin Hurl selected on the wing. In a game won by Yorkshire 23-10. This season saw a change in eligibility rules so players from outside the County could be selected. Non of the three Counties took advantage of this.
Robin Hurl
By 1985 the County Championship was no more after player apathy led to lack of interest by the spectators. However an attempt was made to emulate the State Of Origin concept in Australia by reviving the Yorkshire v Lancashire rivalry, labelling it “War Of The Roses”. Andy Kay was at full-back for Yorkshire in the game at Wigan. Seen as a stepping stone to International recognition, Great Britain coach Maurice Bamford would select both teams, each County having it’s own coach, Phil Larder being Yorkshire’s. The game was seen as a success with an attendance of 6,865 seeing Yorkshire win 26-10.
Andy Kay
One notable debutant today was forward Geoff Wright in 1977. Having signed from amateur rugby in Castleford, Geoff completed seven seasons with Hunslet, playing 161 games and scoring 11 tries.
Geoff Wright
The 2005 league season ended today with a 26-16 home win against Gateshead Thunder to finish 5th from 10 teams. There was play-off game to come and top scorers would be Jamaine Wray with 51 goals and 126 points and George Rayner with 16 tries.
Yorkshire Cup ties today started with 1937s first round at Hull F C. On a very windy day, Hull elected to face it in the first half and although Hunslet turned around two points in front, this would be insufficient to be defended against, Hull running out 21-13 winners, Harry Beverley got Hunslet’s only try.
The next would be in 1948 against Keighley at Lawkholme Lane. Mel De Lloyd (a guest with Hunslet during the war) put Keighley ahead in the first minute and they hung on to a lead until a very late Alf Burnell try won the game 8-7.
In 1956 it was a trip to Wheldon Road to face Castleford. Hunslet’s pack, especially Geoff Gunney and Arthur Clues, dominated Castleford’s and Brian Gabbitas broke through with ease, creating a number of Hunslet’s tries as they won 26-9.
The first home game since the end of competitive rugby due to World War One was today in 1915 against Hull Kingston Rovers. Fortunately, thanks to Peter Jarvis, we have a copy of the programme for this game. “Echoes and Jottings” confirmed the playing arrangements and the club said they were close to a full fixture list. There had been a large financial deficit the previous season and the committee would endeavour to reduce this while putting out competitive teams. Season tickets would be 10/6d (covered) or 5/- (open). Against the same opposition last week “T’Lads Abart” suffered a heavy 2-33 defeat, but the editor tells us that many of the players work in munitions and cannot get time away for training. International Bill Jukes has had to retire on health grounds, however we know he was back the next season and played on until 1919/20. Fellow international Fred Smith was recovering from injury and would soon be back as was long-serving full-back Herbert Place. Members were asked to look out for details of upcoming Whist Drives “for their lady friends”!
