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.
Edited Jan.23, 2009 : Rugby Netball of the XXIth century is here @ www.rugbynetball.com !
Avec mes copines, dans les années 70, on jouait au handby...un mélange de Hand Ball et de rugby, qu'on avait inventé et dont les règles étaient assez farfelues!
[ce Handby fut l'objet d'une de mes toutes premières notes sur "fenêtre ovale"!]
Posted by: Snödroppe/Sophie | 23/05/2008 at 19:35