In 1961 the Rugby League had one of it’s sporadic attempts to tidy up scrums. Today at home to Leeds referee Alfred Durkin lost patience with Bernard Prior and sent the hooker for the early bath. Stan Moyser was picked as Bernard’s replacement while he served his suspension. He survived his first two games but was then sent off in two consecutive games and received a six match ban. Prior returned and was dismissed twice more later in the season.

Stan Moyser

It was debut day today for ten players from the amateur ranks who, in 1970, were filling in for the first team who were on strike. This game was at home to Bramley and was lost 2-35. Of course , nine is not the record for debutants as, in 1948, thirteen East Leeds players stood in due to the first strike. Earlier in 1970, fifteen debuted in the first strike game and, of course, 15 players were on duty for the club’s first fixture in 1883.

In May 1911 Gloucester County Rugby Union forward James “Danny” Wyburn joined Hunslet. In a practice match in August he was injured so could not make his expected debut in the first league match, turning out instead in today’s fixture at home to Ebbw Vale. In four seasons he played 90 games and scored 17 tries before transferring to Hull. He returned in WW1 for a couple of guest appearances.

Danny Wyburn

1922 saw a debut for Bill Clarkson against Swinton at Parkside. He had signed from Castleford and returned there after playing 152 games for Hunslet (14 tries). His son, Des, played for Hunslet in the 40s.

Bill Clarkson

In 1925 it was the turn of hooker Tom Tootles. Over three seasons he made 58 appearances. He later played for Batley and Castleford.

Tom Tootles

And in 1966 our current president Peter Jarvis made his first team debut against Leeds at Parkside. It was not a happy debut as Hunslet slid to their heaviest home defeat since WW2, 12-42. In five season he played 44 First team games and scored seven tries. He moved to Bramley and also had spells at Halifax and Huddersfield. He coached at Bramley and also with David Ward in 1986/87 when they steered Hunslet to promotion.

Peter Jarvis

In 1964 Yorkshire travelled to Whitehaven for a County Championship game against Cumberland. Dennis Hartley was selected for his first County cap in a pack which dominated the Cumbrian six in a 14-6 win.

After a comfortable home win in the 1953 Yorkshire Cup first round first leg, Hunslet travelled to Hull Kingston Rovers and duly finished the job by winning 11-7, aggregate 38-20.

Season 2007 ended today with a 12-26 loss to Keighley Cougars at South Leeds Stadium. A poor season saw Hunslet finish 8th out of 12 in National League Two. The low point of the season was a record 6-83 loss to Dewsbury in March and the margin of defeat was equalled in the next match, a 0-78 loss in a cup-tie at Hull. This was Hunslet’s home tie but they switched it to Hull for hopefully a better gate.