02 December 1922

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS LOSE AT SWINTON

In spite of a noticeable lack cohesion in the back division, Swinton experienced very little difficulty in their home match with the Featherstone Rovers at Chorley Road. The visitors were not by any means outclassed, the forwards at varying intervals being much in the picture with strong dribbles and sound, honest scrummaging but the tackling of the backs left much to be desired. Swinton recorded five tries, four of which Pearson improved. In reply the Yorkshiremen could only collect a penalty goal and a last minute try, so that the home team eventually ran out winners by 23 points to 5.

There nothing very thrilling for the 6,000 spectators, and yet at the same time both teams tried hard to make the game an open one. The ball was certainly thrown about, but owing to a certain wildness which crept in passes often went astray, and interceptions were numerous.  Sound scrummaging and keen defence prevented Swinton from making any material progress for the first fifteen minutes, but once the Featherstone line had been captured by Powell it was not long before Jack Evans and Howarth also credited themselves with tries.  Pearson improved from easy positions on two occasions, the only reply of the Rovers being a penalty goal by Wynard from an obstruction award in front of the posts. Thus the home team enjoyed a lead of 13 points 2 when the interval arrived.

It was in the twenty minutes immediately following the resumption that Featherstone displayed their true form.  Kirkham got the ball cleanly away from the packs, and Hirst was given many chances to display his pace. Several times he and Morgan combined nicely, but there was generally something lacking, and tries by the brothers Jack and Bryn Evans had been improved by Pearson before Morgan practically in the last minute of the game recorded the Rovers' only try.  Wynard hit the posts from the goal kick directly in front, and the game ended.

Yorkshire Post 4 December 1922