24 February 1923

Hunslet’s Victory on a Quagmire

The game at Parkside was brought to a premature conclusion —although the result will stand—owing to the deplorable state of the playing area. There were pools of water inches deep, and after a few minutes the ground cut up like a ploughed field.  Hunslet did not appear to be as affected by the conditions as the Rovers were, who, in more favourable circumstances, would have undoubtedly put up a better fight. They did not impress as a Cup-fighting team, moreover, and an improvement is urgent if they are to proceed much further.

Hunslet owed their overwhelming success largely to strong forward rushes. The Hunslet sextette were seen to great advantage, and adopted the close dribbling game to some purpose. At times the Hunslet backs attempted to open out the game by some attractive long passing movements, but on such a day this was inadvisable.  Nothing at all was seen on the part of the Rovers, and it was patent early on that they would be outclassed in all phases. For the individual brilliance Horwood was easily the outstanding personality.  He registered three of Hunslet’s tries by sheer merit. One of these was particularly clever. He took the ball about three-parts the length of the field, and keeping masterly control, outstripped and eluded all opposition to score a really magnificent try amidst tremendous applause.

Guerin also calls for special mention, and Clarkson and Brogden were as versatile as ever. On the Rovers’ side Syd. Denton had a difficult task, and Mason on the left-wing showed some enterprise, but it was the Rovers’ off-day.

Leeds Mercury 26 February 1923