There was a record attendance for Parkside at today’s cup tie with Leeds in 1903, 22,000 being given as the official gate. Before the kick off, G E Mosley, the Leeds captain, objected to the referee over spectators sitting inside the fencing and encroaching on the playing area. The ref took no action. After Leeds had lost the match 2-5, they lodged a complaint with the Cup Committee, saying Hunslet, due to the spectators inside the fence, had not complied with the Bye-Laws requiring a distance of 7 feet clearance from touch and 24 feet behind the goal lines, Hunslet, of course, defended themselves and the committee came down on their side, saying that, as there was no proof that spectators impeded play, the appeal was dismissed and the result would stand.
Of the few players making their debuts today, Andy Kay in 1984 was the one to be with the club longest. Signed from Woolpack ARLFC, full back Andy played 124 games and scored 29 tries, 98 goals and 2 drop goals before moving to Huddersfield. In 1985 he played for Yorkshire against Lancashire at Wigan in match won by Yorkshire 26-10. Faced with declining interested in the County matches, the Rugby League marketed this game as “The War Of The Roses” to try and emulate State Of Origin. The crowd of nearly 7,000 was an improvement on previous matches and the series continued until 1991/92. Another reboot was tried in 2001 as County of Origin but this only lasted 4 seasons.
Today in 1896 was the first time in the Northern Union era that Hunslet travelled to Halifax’s Hanson Lane. The result was an 8-8 draw.
