IT is 46 years since 3,000 turned up at Devonshire Road for a Challenge Cup tie to see Millom run semi-professionals Hunslet close in an 18-5 defeat.

It was Hunslet’s first encounter with a Cumberland club since 1959 when they defeated Kells 55-0 Meanwhile, Millom qualified for this stage by seeing off Wigan St Patricks.

Hunslet had one of the all-time great second row forwards in their line-up in 39 year old Geoff Gunney, a Great Britain player who played over 600 games.

They came up against a Millom side aiming to pull off a giant killing act and the Woolybacks shook the South Leeds outfit by going into a 5-0 lead after only two minutes.

Big forward Tom Bridson made a telling break upfield and on his shoulder was Lyndsay Vamplew to race in by the posts, despite the attention of several defenders. The conversion followed via Mick Clarke.

Hunlset were stunned but soon settled and a raid to the home line from Gunney saw him halted in his tracks by Peter Date. The attacks continued with three men hauling down Dobson prior to Marshall having a try ruled out for a forward pass.

However, pressure paid off on 11 minutes when Richardson evaded a high tackle from Clarke to cross the whitewash, Marshall failed to convert, but soon added a goal after Millom were penalised at a scrum.

Millom were finding it difficult to penetrate the Hunslet cover and when player-coach Billy Smith made a telling break his pass to Andrews was forward.

Hunlet then took a lead they were not to surrender when Sanderson sold a couple of dummies to go clear and it was Maskell who touched down.

Millom worked hard to make in-roads and bright play from Smith and Bawden took play deep only for Hughes to send out a poor pass to Clarke.

As half time approached, Steve Forrest’s attempted penalty goal hit the underside of the bar.

The second half was barley under way when Marshall added a penalty goal. Millom refused to buckle and two breaks from Ron ‘Ceddy’ Jackson lacked support.

At the other end, swift handling along the line enabling Cliff Watson to score. A Richardson try converted by Marshall stretched the lead to 13 points before Date and Marshall were lectured following a skirmish.

The Jackson brothers Joe and ‘Ceddy’, along with Peter Evans, went close but Hunslet held out.

Millom: Forrest; Clarke, Hughes, Bawden, Andrews; Smith, Date; Bridson, Middleton, Evans, J Jackson, Vamplew, R Jackson. Subs: Pickthall, Mawson.

Hunslet: Marshall; C Watson, Clarke, Barron, Richardson; Gaitley, Horrocks; D Watson, Maskell, Dobson, Sykes, Sanderson, Gunney. Subs: Taylor, Mason.

Referee: Mr L Gaskell.