29 December 1923

ROVERS’ RESPONSE

Too Late to Overtake Recreation

St Helens Recs. much depleted team did good service against Featherstone Rovers, at City-road, when they defeated their opponents by 23 points to 13.  The game was delightfully open throughout, but the Recs backs were slightly the better, and had a small, if important, advantage in speed and cleverness. Nevertheless, had the Featherstone backs possessed more finish they might have had the decision in their favour.  The scorers were: for the Recs., T. Smith (2), Mulvanney, Halsall and Owen tries, Pyke four goals; and for the Rovers, Clements, Wynard, and Hepworth tries. J. Denton and Wynard goals.

The Rovers responded well in the second half, and had the better of the game. As the score indicates, the forwards took a big share in the game, and while the Rovers forwards were the better scrummagers; especially in the first half, the Recs, forwards were much better in the open, and to a considerable extent won the game by opportunism.

Owen and Gormley did well in the threequarter back line, and Norrey, who made his first appearance before the Recs crowd following his transfer from Salford, had a great run in the second half, narrowly missing scoring a try.  For Featherstone Burton, a Yorkshire junior who was played at full-back, played an excellent game and kicked with great judgment.

Athletic News 31 December 1923