On This Day….6th, 7th and 8th July….

6^th July….

At the Children’s Day Gala on The Oval at Roundhay Park in 1946 a 7 a-side Rugby League competition was held. Hunslet provided two teams and Leeds, Bramley and Huddersfield one each. Hunslet’s teams were:- “A” team Brookes, Freddie Williamson, Ernie Ruston, Shanks Watson, Billy Thornton, Joe Britton, Des Clarkson and Cliff Whitehead. “B” team Bill O’Neill, Ken Buck, Billy Metcalfe, Tuss Griffiths, Simpkins, Doug Billings, Sam Newbound and F Britton. The “B” team lost to Huddersfield 23-0 in the semi-final and the “A” went down 10-19 in the final. Jack Walkington and Dolly Dawson were two of the referees.

In 1957, following the World Cup in Australia, Great Britain played France in a number of games. We’ve covered the Brisbane game and today it was the turn of Carlaw Park in New Zealand to host a match. The British XIII overcame the France XIII 26-12.Geoff Gunney scored a try, being selected to play on the wing rather than his normal second-row.

7^th July….

The 1954 tour progressed to Grafton, New South Wales, for a game against the North Coast. Great Britain coasted to an easy 44-14. Ginger Burnell and Geoff Gunney participated but neither scored.

8^th July….

Following the game on the 6^th between Great Britain and France, another game was held today at Carlaw Park between a combined GB / France team and New Zealand. Geoff Gunney was back in the second row as the combined team won 34-31

Geoff Gunney