29th November….

A couple of County games took place today. The first was in 1902 at Park Avenue, Bradford with forward Tom Tunningley in the Yorkshire side. The lead up to the match was disrupted by a smallpox scare, Bradford forward T Dobson having  passed away from the disease two weeks earlier. Cheshire’s Runcorn players initially refuse to travel but they did turn up on the day. The match was played on a dismal day on a heavy pitch and it became a test of stamina as the ground churned up. Cheshire proved to be the fitter on the day as they ground out a 10-7 win.

Tom Tunningley

30th November….

Hunslet had qualified for their first cup final since 1908 and today faced Hull Kingston Rovers at Headingley in the 1929 Yorkshire Cup final. Fog followed by rain put the match in doubt but an improvement in the light allowed for the kick-off to take place. Hunslet got off to the worst of starts as Rovers scored a converted try in the first minute and this was extended to 13-2 by half time, James Traill kicking Hunslet’s penalty. Hunslet’s forwards were the superior six and played to this strength in the second half to the detriment of their backs and could only manage a Dai Jenkins try and a further Traill penalty as the silverware headed to Humberside.

In 1986 David Ward and Peter Jarvis had assembled a strong squad for their second division campaign and were unbeaten in the league as the draw for the John Player Trophy first round paired them with Warrington at Wilderspool, a ground where Hunslet had never won. If high flying Wire were expecting an easy ride they were proved wrong in the first half as Jed Coates and Jimmy Irvine’s tries and an Alan Platt goal gave Hunslet a 10-6 interval lead. They gave as good as they got in the second half but could not extend their lead and Warrington scraped home by the narrowest of margins thanks to Paul Bishop’s two penalties and a drop goal.

John “Jack” Moore was an important part of the Hunslet pack in the Union days who would go on to play in the 1892 Yorkshire Cup final. Having signed from Leeds St. John’s he made his debut today in 1889 in a defeat at Castleford. He played 128 games for Hunslet scoring 9 tries.

Hooker Les White added to his international caps today as he turned out for Wales against England at Headingley. Although he scored a try Wales could not prevail as England won 13-12 in a match spoilt by heavy rain.

Hunslet had good representation in the Yorkshire Cumberland County match in 1927 at Wakefield. Johnny Coulson was in the Cumberland backs and George Broughton on the wing and Hector Crowther in the pack for Yorkshire. Cumberland took their chances better than Yorkshire to win 11-5  and become County Champions.

Forward Harry Wilson travelled to Stockport with Yorkshire for the 1901 County Match with Cheshire but could not return home a winner as the hosts won 13-3.

1st December….

In 1985 Hunslet travelled to Lancashire for a second round  John Player Trophy tie at Leigh but returned home empty handed after a 6-48 defeat.

The 1951 Wales v Other Nationalities match was held at Abertillery today. Les Williams and Jack Evans were among the Welsh backs but despite Les getting a late try the home side went down 11-22.

The 1956 second test at Odsal against Australia featured Brian Shaw in the pack. The sides were level at 7-7 at half-time but Australia pulled away in the second half to win 22-9 and level the series