29 September 1923

In the Rugby League games on Saturday there were no sensational results, though surprise would be felt at the close shave which Leeds had in their home match with Featherstone Rovers. Leeds opened against Featherstone in polished style, their back play at times being brilliant, and it looked as though they would run up another big score, but the plucky Rovers rallied in such fashion that there was only one point between the sides five minutes from the end, and it was not until Bacon, who had played a very sound game, scored a try in the last minute that anxiety was removed from the minds of the Headingley crowd.

Featherstone possess any amount of grit and determination, and, though they have done none too well in the League so far this season, the form they displayed in the second half of Saturday's game they must make their presence felt before the season closes. Featherstone's forwards were their mainstay, and despite the fact that Leeds were playing their new Welsh recruit Bennett as " hooker," the visitors had the pull in the pack all the time. Indeed, little was seen of Bennett all the game through, though allowance should be made for the fact that this was his first game in the Rugby League code.

Featherstone not reveal the powers of their backs until Kirkham and Williams rather late into the game awoke to their opportunities. Then it was that Hirst, who plays in his first international this afternoon, showed unmistakable quality. Thompson and Kibbler were best men in the Leeds forward line, but none did better than Kinsey, on the Featherstone side. Stockwell's display in his first senior match of the season was encouraging, and there was all his old power in his running and tackling. Lyons at full back, acquitted himself well an unaccustomed position, the feature of his play being the way in which he collaborated with his three quarters.

Yorkshire Post 1 October 1923