The 1946 Challenge Cup Semi–final at Headingley against Wakefield Trinity certainly had plenty of incidents. Anticipating a 35,000 attendance, the police had announced plans to control traffic and spectators using police radio cars, quite an innovation at time. As it happened the crowd of 33,000 didn’t cause the problems the police anticipated and all were in the ground well before kick-off.
All the dramatic moments in the match occurred in a short period in the second half. On a very hot day Hunslet’s winger Bill O’Neill collected a cross-kick from Watson on his own “25” and set off at pace on diagonal run chased by full-back Teall. As O’Neill touched down, he collapsed exhausted as did his Wakefield pursuer. As they were being revived by ambulance men it became apparent that touch judge Clifford Ramsden had flagged for offside on the kick and the try would not stand. A disgruntled spectator had entered the field and hit Mr Ramsden, breaking his jaw. He was attended to and left the field and was later taken to hospital. Play got underway after a touch judge, E Hopkins who was spectating, took Mr Ramsden’s place.
Almost immediately after play re-started it was stopped again after Sid Rookes collided with a Wakefield player, both falling to the ground. The Wakefield player quickly recovered but Rookes was stretchered off and taken to hospital with concussion and a head wound. Hunslet scrum-half Billy Thornton also headed for hospital in the second half with a thumb injury. 68 spectators were attended to by St John’s Ambulancemen for heat related problems. Wakefield won the match 7-3 and John Pillinger was remanded on Monday for the assault and later served four months at His Majesty’s pleasure.
In the 1895 Yorkshire Cup 3rd round, Hunslet visited Hull Kingston Rovers and progressed following a 13-7 victory.
In the 1889 game at home against Batley, Albert Goldthorpe became the first Hunslet player to kick 4 goals in a match and in 1975 Tony Dean was the first to drop two 1pt drop goals.
The 1933 England v Other Nationalities at match at Workington featured Ernest Winter on England’s wing and Les White hooking for the opposition. England won a free scoring game 34-27.
Although Blackpool Borough had entered the league in 1954 it was today in 1963 before they faced Hunslet. At Parkside in a league match Hunslet won 17-2.
