15 January 1924

FEATHERSTONE BEATEN

Lack of Cohesion Punished at Rochdale

Featherstone Rovers were beaten at Rochdale by twenty-eight points to five by the Hornets, who played the team that won at Leeds on Saturday. There was no doubting the Hornets superiority, and in the closing stages they had played their opponents to a standstill.  In the last six minutes they scored three of their tries.

The Rochdale forwards paved the way to victory, for not only did they get possession from the scrums freely, but in the loose were frequently promising with dangerous dribbles. In the early stages Featherstone defended stoutly, tackling keenly; but Rochdale were irresistible, and finally wore them down. Behind the scrimmages also Featherstone were outclassed, and the brightest back play came from the home team.

On the few occasions they got the ball the Featherstone three-quarters showed both initiative and smartness in their attacking movements. The one that ended with Reeves’ try was especially brilliant.  At full back Burton had a lot to do, and he frequently saved his line in the first half, but he was helpless against the mass attacks the Rochdale forwards.  Richardson and Reeves were the other men who did good work, but the team as a whole lacked cohesion.

Leeds Mercury 16 January 1924