The big story today was in 1999 at Headingley where Hunslet faced Dewsbury in the Northern Ford Championship Grand Final. Hunslet dominated the first 15 minutes with some adventurous running rugby and Richard Pachniuk and Rob Wilson had tries denied. Then Dewsbury started to get into the game and Agar opened the scoring with a drop goal, Eaton added a penalty before Flynn got an unconverted try. Hunslet came back at Dewsbury and Paul Cook forced his way over for a try converted by Chris Ross. A Latham Tawhai drop goal levelled matters at half-time. Within five minutes of the re-start Iain Higgins grabbed a try. Injured Butch Fatnowna pulled off the tackle of the match to deny Flynn a second try but Ball did get a try to level the scores. On the hour a pass was thrown back to Jamie Leighton in front of the posts and instinct kicked in as he dropped a goal, the only one of his career. O’Meara looked to have made a break but Richard Baker pulled off a match saving tackle. Hunslet had won the match 12-11 but there were already doubts about whether they would be allowed their place in Super League.
There were a number of representative matched played today. In 1905 there was a County Trial at Huddersfield. The Stripes had Walter Wray in their ranks and his teammates Harry Wilson and Tubby Brookes were in the Whites’ side, which was virtually last seasons County side. The Whites led 13-3 at half-time and the Stripes fought back to 13-8 by the end of game. The referee was Frank Renton of Hunslet.
Walter Wray
In 1911 Yorkshire were facing Australasia at Bramall Lane, Sheffield and there were four Hunslet players involved, Billy Batten scored a first half try but missed the conversion as Yorkshire turned around 8-9 down. Herbert Place was at full-back Fred Smith at half-back and Bill Jukes in the pack as the Tourists dominated the second half, winning 33-13.
The 1933 Roses match played at Oldham featured Geoge Todd and Jack Walkington and led to a 15-12 win for the White Rose. Walkington kicked three goals and Todd and his scrum half partner outplayed the Lancashire half-backs.
In 1963 Fred Ward was in the Yorkshire side facing Cumberland at Wakefield. The home side lost 13-15.
The First Test of New Zealand’s 1965 tour took place today at Swinton and Geoff Shelton was one the home side’s centres. Great Britain won a close game 7-2.
In 1974, centre George Clark earned his sole Yorkshire cap against Lancashire at Keighley and became New Hunslet’s first representative player. Yorkshire were 4-14 behind at the break but, led by Hull KR’s Roger Millward, fought back to win 20-14.
George Clark
A debut today for forward Jack Walsh in 1920 at Leeds. He had signed from Normanton and would play 107 games for the club.
1935’s Yorkshire Cup quarter final was today, also against Leeds at Headingley. Whilst Hunslet had the majority of possession from the scrums, Leeds scored the only try of the game in a 7-4 win. Full-backs Jack Walkington and Brough were adjudged Men Of The Match for their fielding and kicking.
And at the same stage of the 1946 tournament, Dewsbury were at Parkside. After a dull first 30 minutes, the game came to life.Two goals and a try gave Dewsbury a 7-0 lead before Hunslet fought back with Sid Rookes scoring a try and Des Clarkson converting before Shanks Watson got a try putting Hunslet in front. A Dewsbury penalty swapped the lead but this was only held for two minutes as Hunslet got a penalty just inside the Dewsbury half. The 12,438 crown shouted for a kick to touch but captain Jack Walkington instructed Des Clarkson to go for goal. Des “hit the ball like he had never hit a ball before” to secure Hunslet the win. They were in the semi-final before they had won a league match!
