Cricket

In addition to his skills on the rugby field Albert was also a good local league cricketer with the Hunslet club. He was known as a useful change bowler and a natural hitter. Albert captained the side to four Hepworth Cup Final victories and three Leeds League titles between 1904 and 1913, he was also a member of the side that won the League in 1895. On the first day of Northern Union Albert was unavailable to play rugby due to cricket commitments.

Local League Cricket was very popular in these early years with attendance's of 5000 not unusual for the big games. No time or overs limit was placed on the sides and it was possible for a team to bat all day.

Hunslet Cricket Team 1905

Back, H Russell, W W Taylor, E Hart, D Halloran, W Littlewood

Middle,J Charlton, F Waters, Albert Goldthorpe, C C Collett, J F Bedford

Front, J Hirst, G Dawson

Little is known about the certificate above, it reads: Presented to the President, Officers & Members of the Antwerp Cricket Club as a token of the esteem in which you are held by the Yorkshire Fairies and also to thank you for the splendid hospitality shown to us by you on our visit from Hull on the 21st July 1900. C Bultin (captain), J W Fryer, J Wright, R Roberts, J E Florence, W Jacklin, A Goldthorpe, W Speight, W Gardham, H Sontham, J Brown, J E Balmforth (umpire)

Thanks to Geoff Loder for providing the photo of the certificate.