03 November 1923

FEATHERSTONE WIN

Bramley Make Bright Use of Few Chances

At long last Featherstone have made the number of their League victories two. They were full value for their success against Bramley. but the Barley Mow men put up gallant fight right to the last minute, and if their backs had had anything like the number of chances which the Featherstone third line had, there might have been a different story to tell.

Featherstone gained repeated possession from the scrums, but despite good openings made by Needham, it was not until the veteran forward Higson forged his way over that Featherstone began their scoring. Once the ball became loose the Bramley six were smarter and more dependable than the Featherstone forwards. Gadsby reduced lead with penalty, but J. Denton with like goal got back again.  Then came the nicest movement of the match. The Bramley half-backs combined delightfully together and Marshall, whom the final pass went, outpaced the opposition and scored a try. It was five all now but before the interval another penalty gave Featherstone the lead.

The Rovers had much more of the play in the second half than their opponents, but the passing was not accurate, and it remained for Wynard a forward, to clinch matters with a penalty goal, try and a conversion.  When they did get the ball from the scrums Fletcher and Gadsby, excellent pair, did their best, and towards the close of a very interesting second half Gadsby scored a nice try to which Harrison added goal points.  Needham is a new scrum half from Castleford, proved the pick of a rather disappointing lot of home backs. Bramley were excellently served by their half-backs Fletcher and Gadsby. Wainwright watched Hirst well. Rigby was weak at full back, and the forwards excelled in loose play, but were beaten for possession.

Leeds Mercury 5 November 1923