It was semi-finals day in the cups today. The so far successful Yorkshire Cup run in 1892 had taken Hunslet to a match with Liversedge at Halifax. 17,000 saw Liversedge open the scoring with a penalty goal which Hunslet soon matched. James Goldthorpe then scored a try close to the posts which brother Albert converted. In the second half Jack Skirrow and Charlie Lapping secured further tries to take Hunslet to their first final which would be against city rivals Leeds.
The 1904 Challenge Cup match was against Halifax at Wakefield. 19,910 saw Halifax kick two first half goals for a 4-0 half time lead which was extended to seven before Walter Goldthorpe landed a penalty but through sloppy passing Hunslet could not get a further score, Halifax progressing to the final.
All clubs have what are known as “unsung heroes” and in 1923 Hunslet registered a young forward who was to become an unsung hero of the side for 11 seasons. His name was Henry Moss and made 200 appearances for the club. Always, when mentioned in the press, he was referred to as a hard-working and fair second rower. He signed from Hunslet Carr Junior rugby, made his debut today at Wigan and played in the 1929 Yorkshire Cup final.
And in the same game another notable debutant was Johnny Coulson. A three-quarter from Millom, he played in the 1929 and 1931 Yorkshire Cup finals and represented Cumberland 17 times whilst at Hunslet. After playing 274 games and scoring 103 tries for the Parksiders he moved to Halifax for a short spell.
Crossing the river in 1958 to play for a Rugby League XIII against France were Brian Gabbitas and Sam Smith. The home side won 19-8. In 1939 Oliver Morris travelled to Bordeaux with his Welsh colleagues to also take on France but Wales fell to a 10-16 defeat.
Both seasons 1988/89 and 1989/90 ended on the 16th, Following the relegation the previous season, 1988/89 was a disappointing campaign seeing Hunslet finish 14th out of 20 in the Second Division. No try scorer got into double figures with Herbie Moore and Warren Wilson bagging eight each. Steve Lay got 44 goals and 104 points while Neil Hague dropped eight goals. An identical finish the following year saw Shaun Wilkinson top the chart with seven tries and Tim Lumb had 28 goals and 72 points.
In 1982 Hunslet hosted Cardiff City for the first time, beating them 13-10. 1978’s visit to Widnes was New Hunslet’s heaviest defeat to date, 10-58.
