Making their first appearances for Hunslet today were two forwards. Firstly, in 1931 was Mark Tolson. Before taking up rugby he had captained Leeds City Boys at football, progressing to Leeds United’s register. He made just the one appearance in his first season and was behind James Traill, Len Smith and Henry Moss for a prop position but in 1933/34 he came into his own. After Christmas he played in every game and took on the goalkicking duties from Jack Walkington, kicking a goal in each round of the Challenge Cup including the final. For the next three seasons the open side position was his until Eddie Bennett and Bill Thompson came in to the first team. He still made regular appearances including the 1938 Championship final. The outbreak of war effectively brought his career to end after 1939/40, making just sporadic appearances and hanging up his boots in 1946 after 248 games and 348 goals.
In 1975, after signing from Bramley was George Standidge. A no-nonsense prop he was a fine signing at a time when New Hunslet were starting to build squads which could challenge for promotion. He played 129 games for New Hunslet, scoring 17 tries. He moved to Halifax in 1980 where he represented Yorkshire.
In 1908 Cumberland were playing Lancashire with Billy Eagers in the backs and James Parksinson in the pack. The match was at Workington and Lancashire won 15-8.
French side Villeneuve Leopards played a game against a Northern Ford Premiership Select XIII at Widnes in 1999. Hunslet provided four players in Jamie Leighton, Richard Pacniuk, Steve Pryce and Latham Tawhai. The French won the game 24-14.
The 1931 Cumberland Lancashire match at Whitehaven saw Johnny Coulson in the home side as they lost 11-17.
In 1956 there was a Test Trial between Great Britain and Rest Of League with Geoff Gunney in the GB side. Sam Smith had been selected for the League side but withdrew through injury. In a game where there were 11 tries, 8 were scored by wingers, Wigan’s Billy Boston (4), Warrington’s Brian Bevan (3) and Huddersfield’s Mick Sullivan. Great Britain won 26-23.
In a club match at home to York in 1891 Jack Rathmell equalled the tries in a match record with his hat-trick and Roland Hill set a new points in a match record with 15 (five three point goals).
