While season 1972/73 was the worst in Hunslet’s history as the club was shortly to fold, there was one chink of light towards the end. The programme for the last home game reported that while the first and second teams had unrewarding seasons the Under-19s had today gone to Odsal in the semi-final of the Leeds and District Cup and qualified for the final 19-2. Gary Smith , John Rangeley and Jimmy Crampton were singled out for praise.
As the 1967/68 season ended Hunslet were to finish 21st out of 30 teams. The last game was at home to York today and winger Tommy Thompson scored his 28th try to give him 5th place in the League top tries list. Dave Marshall was the club’s top goal (64) and points (128) scorer.
The 1955 British Service v France Services game was held at Headingley today with Brian Gabbitas at stand-off and Colin Cooper at prop for England in their 15-7 win.
Among those making their debuts today were Eddie Bennett, Bill Ramsey and Richard Chapman. Eddie played for Hunslet Supporters and signed for the club from Methley Welfare ARLFC for £15. He played in the 1938 Championship final against Leeds and won his only other medal when he was a guest with Leeds and played in their 1940/41 Challenge Cup final. He played 16 seasons at Parkside (336 games, 10 tries) and played for Yorkshire.
Bill signed from Hunslet Supporters in 1959 and made his debut in 1962. He was at Parkside until 1967 when he transferred to Leeds. His 129 appearances included the 1965 Challenge and Yorkshire Cup finals. His representative career included games for Yorkshire, Commonwealth XIII and Great Britain, including as Lions tourist in 1966. Bill returned to Hunslet as coach in 1978/79, playing two further games.
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Richard joined Hunslet in 2008 from Dewsbury Rams. He made 71 appearances and scored 26 tries, including playing in the 2010 promotion team.
With the Challenge Cup final and Championship Play-offs coming up, Hunslet sent a weakened team to Wigan to complete their 1907/08 league season and suffered the clubs heaviest defeat to date as they lost 0-36.
It was also the end of the 1917/18 season today. As WW1 was coming to an end, teams were struggling for numbers and the games were played 12 a-side. Throughout the war there was no official football but teams were allowed to arrange their own friendlies. The papers compiled the results and came up with league tables. Hunslet were to finish 15th out of 22. H Hirst scored 37 goals and 86 points and Cliff Jones bagged 18 tries to top the charts.
New Hunslet’s second season ended with no improvement on their first league position – 11th. It was early days but George Clark’s 9 tries and Allan Agar’s 5 drop goals were new records. Geoff Nicholls was top goal scorer with 47.
