Punch (95.1888)

206

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [November 3, 1888.

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BARBARIANS AT PLAY.

John Bull. " Play Football, by all means, my Boy-—but don't let it be this Bkutal Sort of Thing !

A NATIONAL GAME;

Or, What it seems likely to be coming to.
Midland Yahoos r. North Country Savages.
These two formidable and ferocious teams were both powerfully
represented yesterday in the first match of the season that came off
at the Subscription Grounds under the Thugbv Association Rules,
when, owing to their well-known deadly tactics,"the afternoon's play
was expected to be more than usually prolific in the fatalities and
accidents now commonly considered inseparable from any well con-
tested natch, and the takings for gate-money were enormous. The

Strangers had the kick off, and upon Smith, for the Home team,
securing the ball, and making a very; pretty run with it down the
centre, he encountered Jones, who, taking a well-timed and vigorous
spring, mounted on his neck, when by an adroit twist, cracking his
spine, he obliged him to relinquish it. The ball was then dribbled
rapidly towards the Strangers' goal, where a spirited scrimmage ensu-
ing, Brown and Robinson, the half-backs, speedily had their thighs
dislocated amidst a general breaking of arms and crackling of ribs.

Some brilliant combinations now followed on the part of the Home
team. Parkinson, who had already had his jaw broken, and a
blood-vessel ruptured, being, however, obliged to use his hands, a
proceeding which instantly brought Jones into his neighbourhood,