2nd November….
Signing from Hunslet Supporters and making his debut today in 1929 at York was forward Len Smith. Len would play for Hunslet for six seasons and was at prop as he scored a try in Hunslet’s 11-5 win over Widnes at Wembley in 1934. His last game for Hunslet was 23rd March 1935 and five days later he made his international debut in Paris with England and he scored two tries in a 15-15 draw with France. That would be the end of his career as he had joined Halifax Police who would not allow their officers to play rugby.
Len Smith’s Wembley try
There were two eary County games today – in 1901’s match with Cumberland at Maryport Harry Wilson travelled with Yorkshire. It was 5-5 at half-time but ended in a comfortable win for the visitors 16-5.
In 1907 at Halifax against Lancashire Wilson was again on duty, this time accompanied by winger Freddie Farrar. After around 25 minutes Yorkshire half-back W T Davies was taken off with a shoulder injury and Wilson withdrew from pack to cover. Shortly after Farrar got the ball on half way, cleverly beat centre Tyson, Kicked on and followed up to be on as hand as winger Hogg fielded the ball but elected to pass to Gifford who missed the ball and Freddie swooped in to score a converted try. Yorkshire were 10-6 in front at half-time. They ran out 15-11 winners and Wilson, although out of position was not out of his depth it seems as he is mentioned as being involved in passing moves by the Yorkshire backs.
At Wakefield Trinity today in 1895 Billy Hannah became the first Hunslet player to score a brace of tries in the Northern Union in an 11-0 victory.
3rd November….
Signing on in November 1906 from Bramley was winger Freddie Farrar. Known as “The Farsley Flyer” he had played his junior rugby with Stanningley and played his first game for Hunslet today at home to Wakefield Trinity. He did not score on his debut but the following week at home to Batley he scored five tries (all in the second half) in a 45-0 win. In the All Four Cups season he played in the Yorkshire and Challenge Cup finals and the Championship final relay. The following year he played in the Yorkshire Cup final and finished with 26 tries which was a new tries in a season record. His representative career started with Yorkshire in 1907/08 and he gained four caps with the county. In 1910, despite not having played international football, he was selected for the tour to Australasia. However it would not be a happy experience as he had an accident early in the tour which restricted his appearances to four. The knee injury continued to dog him until he retired in February 1913. He returned to assist the club in the war-time league in September 1915 but only managed the one appearance. The last of his 120 tries was at Parkside against York. He was also a useful goal-kicker and landed 91 in his 193 appearances.
The Farsley Flyer in his Northern Union shirt
There were three Roses matches today involving Hunslet players. In 1900 at Rochdale Albert Lunn was in the pack. There was a mix up over the kick-off time as it should have been 3 o’clock but was advertised as 3.30 so the compromise was 3.20 with two 35 minute halves. Although leading 8-5 at half-time the Lancashire forwards received “a severe admonition” at the break and dominated the second-half to win 24-5.
The 1906 fixture was at Salford and there was an unusually low attendance of 5,000. Bill Jukes was in the pack in what was described as an “indifferent” match. Lancashire won the match 19-0 but scored most of their points in the last ten minutes.
George Broughton was on the wing in 1928 at Halifax. He had no chance of a try as Yorkshire’s backs were outplayed as Lancashire won 33-10.
