Another sport from the deadpool of forgotten sports... the game of Net Ball, as reported by The Boy's Own Paper in a 4 pages article in 1910, seems to be a great blend of Rugby and Basket Ball !
This article explains that this game is a modern codification of a ball game that has been played for centuries in
Cornwall - called "Hurling" (though it as no affinity with the Irish game...)
Nothing to do either with Net Ball
as it is played today by women... ! This Cornish Net Ball seems to be much funnier... ! nine players-a-side playing with a rugby ball on a rugby ground (physically demanding !)... running and passing only, as kicking and dribbling are forbidden... no off-side and forward passes allowed... and so are tackles, of course ! No scrums : when a player and the ball are held ("a lock") after a tackle, the forwards gather round and the referee bounces the ball on the ground midway between them... as below....
Anyone knows if this Net Ball has survived ?
You could find larger picture and the text of the article
in this Flickr folder.
