1898-1899

It has been well said that? hope springs eternal in the human breast?, and it is therefore no doubt equally true to say that the Leeds Committee, players and supporters looked forward with keen enthusiasm to the commencement of this season in spite of all the disappointments of the previous campaign.

That being so one can well imagine the feelings of bitter frustration when the team opened the season with defeats at the hands of Brighouse Rangers and Holbeck. This was particularly disquieting as much had been expected from six new players who had made their first appearance in Leeds colours: H. Cole and R. Batchelor, centres; G. Grace, half back; H. Blackburn, H. Moon and F. Mylan in the forwards. The Committee acted ruthlessly in selecting the team for the following match, against Bramley, J. Lumley being the only survivor of the three-quarter line, and yet another three new players being introduced: A. Harrison, winger; E. Pearson and J. Quinn, forwards.

A victory by the narrow margin of seven points to three resulted, Lumley justifying the faith of the selectors with a typical try whilst Grace and Pearson each contributed a goal. An unchanged team met with defeat at Headingley a week later, Leeds Parish Church, with G. Mosley as arch-schemer, proving to be much superior in all departments.

This defeat was followed by three more in quick succession, so that on October 8th, when Hunslet won at Headingley by nine points to two, with Albert Goldthorpe contributing one of those dropped goals for which he was to become famous, Leeds had the unenviable record of having gained only one victory out of their first seven engagements.

The tide turned a week later at Halifax where a hard fought victory by three points to nil, provided the tonic which the players so badly needed. Only Batley, and that at Mount Pleasant, were able to lower the Leeds colours in the following eight weeks, by which time the playing record had improved out of all recognition.

But the Christmas matches proved the turning point, a defeat at Holbeck on Christmas Eve commencing anotherdisastrous spell in which only four victories resulted from the last thirteen matches. There was some consolation in our performance in the Northern Union Cup Competition. A comfortable 1st Round victory over Rochdale Rangers, was followed by a visit from Wigan. This clash with the Lancastrians was spoilt through adverse weather, rain and sleet combining to make ground conditions treacherous, thus reducing scoring to a minimum. Leeds won through by three points to nil, Gregg scoring a try as a result of good work by Jagger and W. Glover.

The 3rd Round draw called for a trip to Widnes, where Leeds were very unfortunate to lose. Leading by eight points to nil at half time, they had to face a strong wind in the second half, but they defended bravely and still held a lead of eight points to five in the closing stages. They were, however, foiled by goal kicks in the last few minutes, Bown dropping two goals and Baty placing a penalty.

As Hunslet were one of the teams concerned, the Cup Final could not be staged at Headingley, the Fallowfield ground, Manchester, being chosen as the venue. Oldham were the Cup winners. Fifteen new players had been introduced during this most unsatisfactory campaign, others in addition to those already quoted being, D. Rogan, J. Barker, W. Scott, W. Stead, P. Connor, J. Renton. Unfortunately the efforts of the Committee to strengthen the side were hardly successful as apart from G. Grace and H. Moon those recruits were to have only relatively short careers at Headingley, failing to establish themselves as regular first team players.