In 1886, scoring by points rather than goals was the debate. The Rugby Union AGM on the 7th voted in a scoring system of 3 points for a goal and 1 point for a try. A converted try would only qualify for the goal and the new law would come into effect immediately. Hunslet’s first game under the new system was at home to Ravensthorpe and tries by Issac Summerhill and J Heywood gave the home side a 2-0 win. However, for whatever reason, this only lasted for one game and it was back to the old method the following week.
In 1948 the Great Britain team were preparing to meet the Australian tourists and Dai Rees of Bradford Northern was approached to be the coach for the first test. He turned it down feeling the appointment should be for all three tests. Hunslet’s Jack Walkington was then approached and turned it down for the same reason.
Debutants today…..
1954 saw Australian forward Arthur Clues move across the city after a falling out with the Leeds management. His first game was at Parkside against Bradford Northern. In Australia he had played for Western Suburbs and represented his country against the touring Lions in 1946. He also played for New South Wales. In 1947 he was the first Australian to switch hemispheres after the war and move to England to play for Leeds. At Hunslet he added to his British Empire XIII appearance with a game for a Rugby League XIII and added to his previous appearances with Other Nationalities. He played 83 games for Hunslet and scored 12 tries. A first class cricketer in Sydney he is thought to be the only player to score a try and a century at both Sydney Cricket Ground and Headingley.
Arthur Clues
Having signed from Hunslet Juniors in 1961 Bob Pickles got his first team chance today in 1965 at Odsal. He played 20 games for the Parksiders scoring 1 try and 33 goals before moving to Keighley. He returned to Hunslet in 1973 to assist the new club and added 19 appearances, 1 try and 42 goals to his record. His ten goals against Blackpool Borough in 1974 set a goals in a match record for the new club which stood until 1996.
Bob Pickles
Tim Lumb signed from Shaw Cross ARLFC in 1987 and made his debut today in 1988. He played 70 games and scored 21 tries, 126 goals and 5 drop goals before moving to Sheffield Eagles in 1991/92 for three years and then Hull Kingston Rovers. He returned from Hull on loan in 1996 making two further appearances and adding one more try. He had played for GB Under-21s in 1991.
Tim Lumb
Geoff Gunney added to his Yorkshire caps today in the County Championship game against Lancashire at Leigh in 1961. Yorkshire lost 12-14 which meant the wooden spoon for them.
In 1926’s Yorkshire Cup tie at Parkside against Leeds, the home team were virtually at full strength whilst the visitors had three regulars missing and for 70 minutes Hunslet held the upper hand with a Hector Crowther try and two Albert Howarth goals against a try and a goal by Leeds. A late Leeds rally which brought two tries and a goals meant no further cup progress for Hunslet.
