As Hunslet’s time at Parkside was coming to an end, there was one last home debut to be made and it fell to forward Jimmy Crampton to take the honour in a defeat to Batley. With only two games left in the season it would be as a New Hunslet player that Jimmy would become a regular first teamer making 23 appearances the following season and was voted Player Of The Year. In 1975/76 he transferred to Hull where he played 50 games and also represented Great Britain Under 24s. Castleford later obtained Jimmy’s services where he played 9 games before returning to Hunslet for 13 games making his total 88.
In 1899 Hunslet were involved in their first Challenge Cup semi-final at Park Avenue, Bradford against Salford. The match was played on wet and windy day on a saturated pitch and maybe the bad conditions contributed to what came later. In the first half Hunslet took the lead with a Tommy Walsh try and Albert Goldthorpe conversion and play “grew decidedly warm” afterwards. Rhapps of Salford drew the wrath of the referee Jack Smith and was dismissed. James Ramage extended Hunslet’s lead and Hunslet’s forwards had dominated the Salford eight in the first half. After Hannah scored “a magnificent try” converted by Albert, The Yorkshire Post reported that “the temper of the Salford men now gave way utterly”. Mr Smith finally had enough and dismissed Brown of Salford soon followed by Woodhead. Jack Wright dropped a goal and, although being three men down Salford sored in the corner. Gledhill soon “had to join his colleagues in disgrace”. Salford’s Johns and Hunslet’s Tom Gillings were also sent-off for fighting. Hunslet progressed to the final 15-8 or should that be one off against five!
It was a busy day for Hunslet’s representatives today:-
1929 at Cardiff – Dai Jenkins and Les White lind up against Hunslet colleague George Todd for Glamorgan & Monmouthshire against Yorkshire, the visitors winning 22-17, Les getting a try for the visitors.
1931 at Halifax – the Welshmen were the visitors to Yorkshire today and Jenkins and White were again in action. Jack Walkington and Hector Crowther were on duty for the Tykes as they won 33-12.
1951 in Marseilles – in France today were three Hunslet men playing for Wales, Jack Evans, Les Williams and Granville James. Jack kicked two goals and Les scored a try but Wales went down 13-28.
1953 at Warrington – the same three Welshmen were in action against Other Nationalities. Les Williams again scored a try helping his side win 18 16.
1956 in Marseilles.– Brian Culley today represented England Services against France Services, the French winning 18-10.
The 1921/22 season ended today with a poor 19th place out of 26 teams. Arthur Walker was top try scorer with 14 and Walter Guerin got 25 goals
The league was split into two divisions in 1962/63 and 1963/64 and the Yorkshire and Lancashire Leagues were renamed the Eastern and Western Divisional Championships. In 1963/64 teams played in mini-leagues and Hunslet faced Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers, Featherstone Rovers and Halifax. A heavy defeat at Featherstone was their last game as they ended in 10th position with four wins and four defeats.
The Challenge Cup 4th round in 2012 brought Batley Bulldogs to South Leeds and they beat their hosts 21-18.
Hunslet’s sole visit Maidstone to play Kent Invicta happened today in 1984 and resulted in a 16-24 defeat. Kent relocated to Southend for the following season but their paths did not cross.
