It had been announced in June 1994 that, despite 15 years of their lease remaining, Hunslet were to vacate Elland Road and Leeds City Council were to provide a new home in South Leeds. However, this obviously wasn’t going to happen overnight so Hunslet became Nomads again searching for a new home for one season. They eventually fetched up at Bramley’s McCLaren Field for 1994/95. Today was their first “home” game, London Broncos being the opposition. Having lost at Leigh the week previously 0-49, Hunslet turned things around to win 25-12. Mick Coyle and Chris Watson scored two tries each.
A continuation of the old Blackpool Borough, Chorley Borough paid their first visit to Elland Road today in1988 and they spoilt Hunslet’s start to the new season with an 18-6 victory. Graham King scored Hunslet’s try and Steve Lay kicked the goal.
Admitted to the league a couple of seasons earlier, Whitehaven entertained Hunslet for the first time in 1950. In a forward dominated game Hunslet came away with an 8-5 win, Granville James and Billy Metcalfe getting the tries and Tuss Griffiths the goal. The crowd was 9,084.
The 1961 New Zealand Tourists were in the UK and it had been decided for them play combined City & Town teams. Today it was Leeds’ fixture. Hunslet provided Alvin Newall and Billy Walker as the left-wing partnership and Kenny Eyre was in the second-row. New Zealand won 24-9 in the match played at Headingley.
Alvin Newall
In 1962 Hunslet were looking for a new coach and today signed Fred Ward from York as a player / coach / captain. It proved to be an inspired choice as Fred took Hunslet to a Yorkshire Cup final win in October and promotion from the second division at the end of the season. The 1965 Wembley final and 1965’s Yorkshire Cup final were to follow before Fred hung up his boots. A product of Lock Lane ARLFC, he made five Yorkshire appearances while at Hunslet and played 126 games (20 tries).
Fred Ward
The 1943 Lazenby Cup was played today but normal foes Leeds were unavailable so Featherstone Rovers provided the opposition at Parkside. Hunslet led for most of the game but were pipped 11-12.They were assisted by international scrum-half Les “Juicy” Adams.
In 1977 Hunslet were at Keighley in the quarter-final of the Yorkshire Cup. Unfortunately a semi-final place eluded them as they lost 8-17.
A notable debut was made today in 1926 by Welsh forward Dai Jenkins. He came north from Treorchy RUFC. He had four Wales RU international caps. At Hunslet he played in two Yorkshire Cup finals and played for Great Britain, Wales, Other Nationalities, Glamorgan & Monmouthshire and in a Tour Trial. After 226 games (50 tries and 1 goal) he transferred to Leeds in a swap deal for Harry Goulthorp. He played 68 games for Leeds in two seasons.
Dai Jenkins
