30th October….
In 1897 Ahr Albert extended the goals in a Northern Union match record to six in a 24-2 win at home to Heckmondwike. In 1926 Walter Guerin kicked 9 goals in the home game with Huddersfield to equal the new record he had set in 1914. He did however extend the points in a NU match to 24 in this match with 2 tries to go with his goals.
1909’s Yorkshire Cup quarter final at Fartown saw Huddersfield go in front within five minutes with a try which future Hunslet player Edgar Wrigley failed to convert. Billy Batten replied with a penalty goal almost immediately. The sides exchanged a further penalty each but that was the end of Hunslet’s scoring for the afternoon as Huddersfield ran up a 12-4 win. Billy Batten was reported as being knocked out twice in the first half but was only off the field for a short time – no HIAs in those days!
At the same stage of the same competition in 1920 Hunslet were at Parkside to receive Batley. The visitors were the better side for periods of the game but could not withstand Hunslet’s late rally as they came through to win 10-9.
In 1926 Hector Crowther was down the road at Wakefield to assist Yorkshire against Lancashire. In what was described as “a fine contest” Hector got a first half try as the home side won 18-13.
31st October….
Hunslet’s first representative in a World Cup game was hooker Sam Smith who played for Great Britain against Australia in Lyon today. Without many of their tourist from the summer tour, GB were the underdogs but the management team instilled a belief in the team during training which came through on the day with a 28-13 win.
Putting teams out in World War One could be quite a chore for the club so to get players who would play regularly throughout the conflict was a bonus. One such player was Sam Hullighan. Signing on from Hunslet Albion he made his debut today at home to Keighley at Parkside and would stay throughout the war playing in both the pack and in the backs. He made 85 war-time appearances scoring 16 tries and 41 goals. He left for York in 1920 having added a further 21 appearances, 3 tries and 10 goals.
Sam’s debut was a Yorkshire Cup quarter final. Keighley had agreed to move their home tie to Parkside for a monetary consideration and half the gate. 3,000 turned up and the gate was £55. Walter Guerin dribbled over after three minutes and then added two penalty goals. Keighley were level by half-time it looked like being a draw until late on Harold Buck made a break, kicked over the full-back’s head and won the chase. Guerin kicked the goal and Hunslet were through 12-7.
Another quarter-final today in 1929, this time at Hull. 2 George Broughton tries and a James Traill goal took Hunslet through 8-4 but they were a superior side to Hull, missing five goals attempts.
Chorley Borough were the visitors to Elland Road for today’s 1993 Regal Trophy tie. Hunslet came through with relative ease winning 30-19.
1908’s Yorkshire v Lancashire match at Salford saw four Hunslet players on show. Harry Wilson, John Willie Higson and Bill Jukes made up half the pack and Billy Batten was on the wing. A disappointing display by the Tykes gave the Red Rose the Championship title with a 13-0 win.
At Headingley in 1945 Cumberland were the visitors with winger Bill O’Neill in their side. In a one-sided game Yorkshire were beaten 3-45
