Playing today at Bramley in 1947 was centre Bernard Gray. Nothing exceptional in his Hunselt career except that he was one of a small number of players who played for Hunslet, Bramley and Leeds. But Bernard had one other attribute as, as far as I know, he is the club’s only player to play for the three rugby clubs and also Leeds United. He was also on Doncaster Rover’s books.
Having finished in first place in the 1986/87 Second Division season, Hunslet were hoping they could progress to the final of the newly introduced Premiership Play-offs and an appearance at Old Trafford. Today’s quarter-final opponents at Elland Road were Carlisle and they were seen off easily to the tune of 54-0.
As WW1 was coming to an end competitive rugby would be re-introduced in January for a short 1919. Season. Eleven clubs were prepared to participate in the Yorkshire League including Hunslet and today a home Yorkshire Cup tie against Huddersfield was their last outing. The Fartowners had not competed in the league, opting to just play friendlies due to the number of players still in the forces but they proved strong enough to win the cup-tie 16-5. Hunslet only scored 102 points in their 14 matches and finished 10th out of 11. Top scorers didn’t trouble the club records as Harold Buck with 3 tries and Sam Hullighan with 8 goals took the honours.
In the second war, there was again a cup-tie today when Leeds were the visitors in the 1941 Challenge Cup quarter- final and overcame their hosts 17-10 on their way to lifting the trophy in the final at Odsal. Eddie Bennett and Eric Batten would be guests from Hunslet for Leeds in the final.
There were also season ends today in 1938/39 and 1957/58 but both were mid table finishes with no success in the cups.
A benefit match was organised for today in 1924 for two long serving forwards, Arthur Newton and James Johnson. Billy Batten assembled a team to play Hunslet but on a wet day many did not turn up and juniors had to be drafted in. Obviously the match wasn’t taken too seriously as the score was 31-27 to Hunslet
