Debut day today for current three-quarter and member of last season’s promotion squad, Alfie Goddard. Alfie joined in 2023 and played in the Promotion Play-off final last year.

Hunslet players were involved in Internationals today. Geoff Shelton and Dennis Hartley were at Hilton Park, Leigh, 1n 164 assisting Great Britain to a 30-0 win against France. Jack Walkington was in the England side and Les White and Dai Jenkins in the front row for Wales in the 1931 international match at Huddersfield, Jack kicking 4 goals as England won 23-18.

Challenge Cup round-up. There were ties in four seasons today………..

The 1899 1st round brought juniors Maryport down from Cumberland. Hunslet eased to an 11-2 win.

A trip to Humberside in the 1904 2nd round was the reward for the 1st round win over Parton. The reporters at the time had a way with words as they described the action – Harry Whiteley of Hunslet scored a “remarkably clever drop goal”, Walter Goldthorpe took  a “fruitless” kick at goal. Brother Albert scored a try and kicked a “capital goal from the corner”. Not to be outdone, Hull lost the services of Lewis for “playing roughly” and Frear scoring “a magnificent try”. Hunslet won the game 7-5 which led to some unseemly scenes at the end. The crowd broke through onto the field and surrounded the Hunslet players, there was some stone throwing and it was only with the utmost difficulty did they gain the shelter of the dressing room, the police being unable to dismiss the crowd.

In 1944, following last week’s 2-13 reverse in the 1st leg of this 1st round tie, Hunslet had it all to do at Parkside. Needing to win by a 12 point margin, Hunslet were never really in the hunt, only getting in front in the last three minutes to win the match 13-12 but lose the tie 25-15.

In 2016 Doncaster came to the South Leeds Stadium and were knocked out of the tournament by a nine-try show by Hunslet, 48-6 being the score. Hunslet also had a big score in the 1st round, defeating Barrow Raiders 46-12. Two weeks later Hunslet travelled up to Barrow and were beaten 6-40!

In 1984 Hunslet travelled to Mount Pleasant and recorded their biggest away win against Batley, 42-12. And in 1896, they travelled to Huddersfield for their first visit in the Northern Union era, winning 6-3.