08 September 1923

HALIFAX MAKE GRAND RECOVERY

Featherstone’s supporters were confidently expecting the first victory of this season in the home match with Halifax, and at the interval there was an excellent prospect of these hopes being realised.  By clever play in the second twenty minutes of the first half the Rovers had turned a six points' deficit into a four points' lead.  In the second half, however, although they were playing downhill, Featherstone were outclassed both fore and aft, and in the end the victory went deservedly to much the better side. The great improvement in the Halifax play was largely attributable Murdison, a centre of whom much should be heard before the season ends. This is how the scoring went. Lumb led off with a try which Kitson converted and Denton replied with a grand penalty goal. A fine move Lloyd, the best half-back on view, gave Kitson a chance which he snapped to score a good try.

SIX POINTS’ LEAD

This was the six points’ lead which great tries by Clements and Haig, and converting goals by Denton and Wynard turned into a four points deficit for Halifax. The second half had barely begun when Denton let in Cooper for a soft score. A magnificent penalty goal by Murdison, a little later, gave Halifax the lead again by a single point. There were still twenty minutes to go, but Halifax were always on top, and they leaped their just reward when, near the finish, Rees snapped up the ball brilliantly, after Stacey had beaten the opposition, and scored a lovely try, which Garforth converted. Featherstone deserve sympathy in being without either Sidney Denton or Seymour -both injured - at full back, and the resurrected Alder did his best, but was painfully slow, Denton was the outstanding player on the losing side.

Lloyd and Todd were the masters of the situation behind a pack which played great game all through, and Murdison and Kitson were clever centres, who had a great share in the striking success scored by Halifax.

Leeds Mercury 10 September 1923