On debut today in 1985 was Warren Wilson. Signed from Bramley Social ARLFC, Warren was at Hunslet for 5 seasons making 86 appearances, scoring 33 tries, 8 goals and a drop goal. He played 24 games and scored 11 tries in the 1986/87 promotion season. He moved to Leeds for the 1989/90 season and later played for Halifax, Batley, Featherstone Rovers and Doncaster.
A couple of match records were equalled today, In the Yorkshire Cup tie in 1982 against Alverthorpe, James Goldthorpe scored 3 tries to equal the record set by Edward Kaye three years earlier. Alverthorpe were the home team and elected to play the game at Belle Vue, Wakefield. They were rewarded with “an immense gate”. Hunslet won 30-2. The other was in 1929 when George Broughton touched down 5 times against St Helens in a 53-3 win to equal the record set in 1897 by Billy Hannah.
The First World War started in July 1914 and the Rugby League decided to commence the upcoming season but there would be no representative rugby. A charity County match was arranged for St James Park Newcastle for the Lady Mayoress’s Fund and was played today. The teams were comprised of former players living or stationed in the North East and in the Lancashire side were Fred Bell and D Craven of Hunslet. Fred played for Hunslet in 1900 and it was reported he travelled by train from the North East to play. Yorkshire won the match 16-0.
Oliver Morris, Hunslet’s Welsh stand-off, was in Llanelli assisting his country against France today. Wales eased to an 18-2 win.
In 1999 Bramley paid their last visit to Hunslet before disbanding at the end of the season. Hunslet lost 11-16.
The 1906/07 season ended today with a league match at Headingley and a narrow 19-21 defeat. 21 wins for a 7th place finish made for a reasonable season. Albert Goldthorpe finished with 73 goals, 4th in the league, and 161 points to be 5th in the list.
Challenge Cup ties continued today, firstly in 1902 with the 3rd round replay after the 5-5 draw at Widnes. Hunslet easily overcame their opponents this time to the tune of 21-0. Two years later and a quarter-final visit to Salford. On a very wet day, Hunslet conceded a penalty before Arthur Price, Hunslet’s Welsh winger and a former Salford player, scored in the corner. Walter Goldthorpe kicked a “magnificent goal”. And that was enough to take Hunslet to the semis.
In 1955 Hunslet travelled to Wigan to face Barrow for a place at Wembley. It was reported that Barrow were the better side and 3 Talbot goals were insufficient to prevent a 6-9 defeat.
In more recent times there was a 0-22 defeat at Hull Kingston Rovers in 2006 and a 10-34 loss to Bradford Bulls at South Leeds Stadium in2018.
In the 1887 game at Goole the appointed referree failed to turn up and the President of the Goole club officiated.
