13 January 1923

FEATHERSTONE’S EASY WIN

Featherstone followed up their big victory over Swinton by an even more decisive victory against the greatly improved Keighley side; but on the play the visitors did not merit a defeat by seventeen points, for they played better football than Swinton did.

For the first quarter of an hour it looked as though Featherstone were going to have their work set, for Keighley led off with a smart try by Wagstaff. It was not until this reverse had been sustained that the Rovers showed their real form. The try which Hirst scored was a beautiful bit of work, and before the interval he made brilliant run and then passed to Kirkham, who finished off the movement quite as smartly as it was begun. This was certainly the try of the day.

Although Keighley crossed over seven points down they never gave up the battle; but they were beaten in the finer points of the game.  Williams and Kirkham at half back being much too smart for Foster and Pearson, whilst in the third line Hirst was in a class to himself. Kirkham distinguished himself in the second half by two fine "solo” tries, and in two successive home matches he has scored six tries in all. Holmes put in some fine work for Keighley, and displayed great speed in following up. Keighley played Kirkby, of Askham, for the first time, and although he is about thirty, he showed promising form.

The attendance was again only just over two thousand, and considering the excellent football they are playing, the Rovers are being poorly supported.

Leeds Mercury 15 January 1923