5th December….
Of Hunslet’s own Famous Five, the Goldthorpe brothers, James was the first to make his debut. Today in 1885 he was selected to play at Woodhouse Hill against Wortley in a 1 goal to nil win. ‘Jimmie’ was a three-quarter and his introduction to first team rugby was a gradual one as he only played in two games in his first season. He was a keen Association footballer playing for Hunslet Weslyans before starting rugby and for Leeds Association in 1884/85. By 1888 he was establishing himself in the back line and would go on to make 198 appearances scoring 72 tries and 24 goals. He played in the 1892 Yorkshire Cup final and played a County Trial in 1889, getting selected as a reserve against Durham. His 19 tries in 1891/92 set a new record for the club. He played his last Union game in 1894. In 1898 he reluctantly returned to help out with injuries but his Northern Union career was limited to just two games. He remained at Hunslet until 1907 acting as secretary before moving to Headingley in the same role until 1923.
James Goldthorpe
The 1912 Yorkshire Cumberland game at Hull Kingston Rovers featured no less than six Hunslet players. On the home side were Herbert Banks, Billy Batten, Albert Jenkinson, John Smales and Fred Smith while the visitors selected William Fowler. Yorkshire turned a 3-2 half-time lead into a 19-11 victory.
Winger Peter Muscroft was over the Channel today for the France v Great Britain Under-24 international. The French reportedly punched, kicked and butted their way through a vicious match in which French referee Auriolle seemed to have no control. Their tactics failed however as the British held their tempers and came out on top 11-9.
The 1959 Aussie tourists visited Parkside today in 1959. Hunslet were holding their own at half-time 2-2 and Geoff Shelton scored a try after the restart, Arthur Render’s conversion and penalties taking Hunslet to an 11-7 lead. With Brian Gabbitas having to go off injured in what was becoming a bad tempered match Arthur then had to leave the field and moments later a brawl erupted on the touch-line, the referee requiring four policemen to restore order. The brawl erupted again shortly after, again the police intervening. Eleven man Hunslet conceded a converted try five minutes from time to go down 11-12.
Arthur Render
In the 1982 John Player Trophy it was a trip to Salford for Hunslet. Without excelling Salford built up the points to win through 23-11. Hunslet’s try was scored by Danny Rowe.
6th December….
New Hunslet brought over a number of Antipodeans in the 70s, mainly New Zealanders. In 1975 an Australian called Gary Souter came over having played for St George in the NSW RL in the previous season. He would become New Hunslet’s only overseas representative player when he turned out for two games in the County Championship for Other Nationalities, today’s match being at Bradford against Yorkshire. The game ended in a 16-16 draw. He returned home to play for South Sydney and later played for Illawara against New Zealanders.
The other County Championship match today was in 1933 When Yorkshire faced Cumberland at Dewsbury. George Todd, Jack Walkington and Ernest Winter were in the White Rose side which built an 11-2 interval lead only for their visitors to dominate the second half, winning 15-11. Walkington kicked one conversion but two were missed.
On the international front there were a number of games involving Hunslet players today. In 1911 England took on the Australasian tourists at Nottingham with Billy Batten, Albert Jenkinson, Bill Jukes and Fred Smith on duty. From a first half scrum Smith fed his half-back partner Riley for a try converted by Lomas. The tourists got a try back but missed the conversion and England held out for the 5-3 win.
Des Clarkson was selected for the 1947 England side against Wales at Swansea. England had no real problems in registering an 18-7 win.
Des Clarkson
Eleven years after his international debut and six years since his last call-up Geoff Gunney was somewhat surprisingly recalled by Great Britain for the Test against France at Perpignan in 1964. It was a long journey for no reward as France won 18-8.
The only cup tie today was in 1992 in the Regal Trophy and the winners would have the honour of being the first Third Division side to progress beyond the first round. Workington’s pack proved far two big and powerful for Hunslet as the won through 34-12. David Brook and Andy Precious got the tries and Andy kicked two goals.
