In this occasional series we’ll be taking a look back at some of the players, matches and events that shaped our club over the years.

The Christmas & New Year programme was an important time for clubs, a chance for some decent attendances over the Bank Holidays.

As the 19th century came to an end and up until the 1940s it was not uncommon for us to play 5, 6 or even (in 1911/12) 7 games over the 2 weeks.

In 1905/06 we played 5 matches in Christmas week 23rd to 30th December, using only 9 forwards in the 8 man pack and 8 backs to cover the 5 games!

By the time New Years Day came around the players must have been sick of the sight of a rugby ball!!

Over the years we have played 44 New Years Day matches. Our first was in 1889, an away game at Cleckheaton, won by a goal and 3 tries to 1 goal.

Most games have been local affairs but on 9 occasions we have visited clubs in Lancashire and Cumberland including trips to Barrow and Workington.

Summer rugby has put an end to competitive Holiday matches, our last being in 2001, a 2-34 reverse at home to Dewsbury.

New Years Day 1988 saw our last league match against our rivals from over the river, a 12-28 defeat at Headingley.

Representatives

On New Years Day 1906, after 5 league games in the previous week, Tubby Brookes, a forward, and Billy Eagers, a winger, were selected for England against Other Nationalities at Wigan, a 3-3 draw.

In 1912, Billy Batten and Fred Smith travelled to Villa Park, Birmingham to play in  the 3rd Test against Australasia, a long way to go for an 8-33 and series defeat.

Jack Walkington

The New Years Day match at home to Hull Kingston Rovers in 1938 was selected as Jack’s benefit game. Unfortunately, due to other attractions, the attendance was only 5,000 with a gate of only £152. The match itself was a success though. The 20-2 win took Hunslet into the top 4 for the first time this season, on their way to the Championship final victory over Leeds at Elland Road.