18 October 1924

ONE-SIDED -  Batley Easily Beat Featherstone

The game Mount Pleasant was too one-sided to be of any real interest. Featherstone offered surprisingly weak opposition to the League champions. True they were not at full strength, in the absence of Hirst, S. Denton and Morgan, it is possible they were not taking undue risks in the light of next Saturday’s Cup-tie. Batley, however, were in a similar position. They had to find substitutes for five prominent players, including Fowler, who, it now transpires, is suffering from a fractured rib. Nevertheless, it seemed though Batley might almost have doubled their score if they had cared to exert themselves.

In a scrappy first half, Featherstone did quite as much attacking as their opponents, but they lacked scoring power, so that at half-time they were eight points in arrears. After the interval, however, Batley played with a good deal more resolution and piled up points almost at will. Once more the forwards gave the men behind excellent service with the ball, and the backs showed periodic glimpses of irresistible combination. Scott made plenty of play for the threequarters; Davidge, notwithstanding the fact that he was playing his fourth game in eight days, made some dashing openings; while Stacey was a speedy and polished wingman Robinson, too, is recovering his old form at full back.  Featherstone were also very well served by their full back. Goldie, whose splendid kicking often gained his side ground, and hard work was done by Annable, Williams, and J.Denton. Unfortunately, in collision with an opponent, Williams (Featherstone) was hurt during the second half, and had to be carried off the field suffering from slight concussion.

Leeds Mercury 24 October 1924