As the players left the field at Parkside on 10th January 1942 after losing 0-27 to Wakefield Trinity, I doubt they knew they were playing their last game until today as extreme cold weather and heavy snow disrupted the country for around 10 weeks. The season was extended into May to allow time for over 150 postponed games to be played.
Today in 1914, the match at home to York saw match records fall, 54 points being the highest score to date against professional opposition beating the 52 scored against the same team in February. Walter Guerin’s 9 goals set a new record and Albert Jenkinson’s five tries equalled Billy Hannah’s record from 1897.
The 42-36 win over Halifax in 2010 is the highest number of points conceded in a match which was won.
In 1966, forward Ken Hepples made his debut as a sub in a 6-12 home loss to Huddersfield. He made a further 74 appearances over seven seasons scoring three tries.
Having beaten Elland, Bingley and Leeds St Johns, Hunslet’s 1885 Yorkshire Cup campaign ended at Bradford with a heavy 7 goals to nil defeat but in 1891 progress was made with a 4 goals to 1 win at home to Goole.
In 1903 the Challenge Cup quarter-final took Hunslet to Oldham and were they were beaten 8-0.
1910’s Tour Trial had Hunslet team mates Fred Farrar and Albert Jenkinson playing for the First Selected. Both scored tries and Fred also kicked a goal. It was Albert’s first representative match and he would have to wait until next season for a cap while Fred was invited to tour in the summer.
In the 1931 County Championship Cumberland were hosting Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. Johnny Coulson was on the wing for the hosts and Les White and Dai Jenkins were in the visitor’s front row. The Welshmen won 19-12
11 years on in 1942 Les White was still playing representative rugby, turning out for Northern Command against a Rugby League XIII (with Eric Batten on the wing) at Halifax. Northern Command won 22-18.
Widnes made their first visit to Parkside today in 1896. They won 22-13, inflicting a “double” over Hunslet (they won 3-0 on New Years Day) in this first season of Northern Union.
