Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Marlburian. SIR,-Though a thorough Conservative in most matters that concern the School games, etc., I have a proposal to make which no doubt most will consider eminently Radical. It is that members of the XV should all have caps of the same colour, instead of different colours for different houses as at present. The advantages would be a more uniform appearance on foreign match-days, and a more distinguishing mark for the XV. As to the colours, I think myself black and silver, to match the ordinary caps used, would be very suitable, but perhaps rather funereal in appearance. However while the present unsightly XV jerseys and stockings are retained, no one I think could object much on the score of appearance. The badges of course would remain the same as hitherto.

Yours etc.,

question is:- Has not that alteration done more harm in spoiling the game and making it less fair in House Matches than good in preventing accidents? The return to Rugby Union has had no ill effect in big games, and as long as collaring below the waist were barred I do not believe it would in House Matches. I hope that this letter will provoke more discussion on the subject, for it is a very real evil that a house should be handicapped by their good forwards. I am, Sir, yours etc.,

Football.

Y. VIRP.

The following promotions have been made :

Dec. 12th.

To the Editor of the Marlburian. SIR,-May I ask for a small portion of your, I fear, over. crowded space to call attention to the effect the three rules on pages 11 and 16 of The Laws of Foot-ball as played at Marlborough College have in our House Matches. Surely at first sight it is incongruous enough that one game should be played in Big Games and Foreign Matches, and another utterly different, for so it is, in House Matches. But there is more than mere incongruity. Any one who has watched the House Matches this year with any interest must have plainly seen how a good forward is positively a disadvantage to his side; while the game depends almost entirely on the backs. The state of things is this:-A good forward gets the ball through the squash, everybody of course playing up their hardest, and then not being allowed to pick it up he tries to dribble. Theoretically of course it is all right; the perfect forward would dribble away and evade the liers in wait on the other side. But one needs to be pretty firm on one's legs to dribble, and where is the forward, who, having shot him. self out of a tight squash can instantly drop into a steady run ready to dodge a half-back who may use his hands? He may not even drop on the ball and so hold it and keep the advantage he has gained, all he can do is either kick the ball hard and send it nicely to the backs, or let the half-back get it and then try to collar him, while the half-back if he is any good will certainly have got some distance before he can be touched. This is not all that there is to be said, though. How is it possible for a forward, however excellent a dribbler he may be, to follow, when staggering from having with difficulty extricated himself from a tight squash, the vagaries of an oval ball? If the ball were round it would be bad enough, but oval as it is it is a sheer impossibility for a forward to do any more than harm to his own side by taking it through the squash.

It was necessary at the time that the alteration in the rules was made, that there should be some alteration, but the

XV.

G. R. Askwith

A. H. Hawkins.

LX.

S. Martineau

J. Cooper

R. F. Cholmeley

V. G. Daltry

E. R. Stokoe

E. H. Orlebar

R. H. H. Eden

COCK HOUSE MATCH.

UPCOTT'S (MALTESE CROSS) V. HORNER'S (CROSS ARROWS).

As everybody expected, this match proved one of the most exciting and evenly contested games that has ever been played on Big Game; Horner's on the whole being the favourites; and the interest which it created was shown by the immense crowd, not only of the School, but also of the Common Room, who eagerly watched the play throughout. Unfortunately the result had to be decided by two days' play, as the severe frost of the last three weeks has effectually prevented all thoughts of football, and so the Cup for 1879 rests in the hands of Upcott's.

FIRST DAY, THURSDAY, NOV. 13th, on Big Game.— Craufurd won the toss for Upcott's and elected to play from the Town-end. Duncan accordingly started the ball from Lyne's end, the kick-off being returned by Gunner. In a very few minutes Duncan got the ball, and looked rather dangerous, when he was well collared round the neck by Alston. Glennie got the ball out of some loose squashes, but before he could take his drop he was charged by Craufurd, and Gunner picking up the ball, got away, but was collared by Richards in front of Horner's goal.

Glennie was again collared by Alston before he could take his drop, and some loose squashes in front of Horner's goal ensued, out of one of which Gunner made a neat drop at goal, but the ball passed about two feet outside the post. Horner's had to touch down, and the ball being dropped out by Glennie, was well returned along the bottom by Gunner. Craufurd soon after made a brilliant burst, but was stopped by Crookenden. Hawkins (half-back, pro. Adams) by a piece of sharp backing-up, succeeded in obtaining the first try for Upcott's, about three-quarters of the distance down from goal. The place was splendidly tried by Alston, but the ball just went the wrong side of the post. After the ball was dropped out Duncan made a short run, and Bryant and Thring became conspicuous for their respective sides. Maclean now began to show his pace, but Gunner catching the ball as he tried to pass it to Glennie, took it back again into Horner's half. Some very tight and even squashes followed in the middle of the ground, but Duncan at last getting the ball succeeded in getting as far as Upcott's backs, where he was well collared by Taylor, whose collaring throughout was splendid. After this the ball remained for a short time in Upcott's twenty-five, but Hawkins by a succession of sharp runs took it away. Evans worked the ball through the squash, and some good dropping took place between Glennie and Alston. On the ball being thrown in from touch near Upcott's goal line, Duncan caught it and ran in behind the posts, but the place kick was charged, and Duncan thinking the ball was not on the ground, took an erratic drop at goal. After a long dispute whether the ball was on the ground or not, the decision was given against Horner's and change was called.

The kick-off by Gunner was well returned by Glennie, and some long squashes ensued in the middle of the ground at the lower side in which. Upcott's slightly had the advantage, owing chiefly to the determined play of Ravenhill and Dawson. Maclean made a very good run round the top, but was luckily overtaken by Hawkins. Duncan and Craufurd now made a series of short runs and, after a squash at the lower side, the latter carried the ball into Horner's quarters, by one of his dodging runs, but Richards dribbled it back, and some good passing followed between Craufurd, Gunner, and Taylor; when Glennie managed to get the ball away, and

Mahon showed a very pretty piece of dribbling, but the ball went into touch. Taylor catching the ball as it was thrown in, by a useful drop took it some yards away from Upcott's goal. Bryant then made a good dribble, which was responded to by a run of Duncan's. Craufurd again made a brilliant run and managed to slip through Glennie's hands, but was collared by Maclean. A series of squashes ensued on Horner's goal-line, which resulted in Horner's having to touch down. Glennie's drop was charged and no game was called, each side having scored a try. Upcott's got slightly the best of the game as they forced Horner's to touch down twice behind. Carey (pro. Cross) and Robertson played well for Horner's besides those mentioned above, and Daltry and Foord for Upcott's.

SECOND DAY, THURSDAY, Nov. 27th.-Big game was rather wet and sticky, and consequently the game was not quite so fast as on the previous day. After kick-off the game for some time was very even, most of the work being done by the forwards, until Craufurd by a short run took the ball towards Horner's goal, Maclean, however, soon took it back to the middle of the ground, where he was well tackled by Ravenhill. Shortly afterwards Gunner made a good run along the bottom, ending with a drop, which took the game into Horner's twenty-five, and Craufurd very nearly got in behind. Squashes on Horner's goal-line now became the order of the day, until Gunner, taking the ball from one of Horner's forwards, ran in and obtained a try about half-way down, which was disallowed. However, in a very short time Craufurd dodged right through Horner's and gained a try right between the posts, which was safely converted into a goal by Alston. After kickoff Alston's drop was charged and Upcott's had to touch down in self-defence.

For some time the ball remained in Upcott's twentyfive, but it was steadily worked back by the forwards. However after runs by Maclean and Glennie Tanqueray obtained a try for Horner's out of a loose squash, rather high up, and the place was missed by Richards. The drop out was well returned by a run of Duncan's, who was collared round the legs in front of Upcott's goal, and so claimed a free kick, which luckily was somewhat erratic, as the ball was anything but light. Again Upcott's were penned, owing to one of Glennie's long drops, but all danger was averted by the good play of Taylor.

Half-time was now called, and Duncan started the ball again, but Craufurd soon took it into the middle of the ground where he was collared by Crookenden. After a short squash at the top Duncan made a good run, which was well stopped by Taylor, and the latter, catching the ball as it was thrown in, by a useful drop took it into Horner's quarters, where it remained for some time. Another of Duncan's rushes was well stopped by Gunner, and Craufurd again took the ball into Horner's twenty-five, where he was well tackled round the waist by Mahon. The forwards for some time had most of the game to themselves; but the ball in spite of the good play of Richards was gradually worked nearer and nearer Horner's goal-line, and Gunner getting the ball as it came out of the squash, ran in low down. The place, which was well tried by Gunner, considering the heavy state of the ball, failed.

For the winners, besides those already mentioned, Adams (half-back), Ravenhill, Dawson, Kerry, and Rowe played splendidly, while for the losers Evans, Robertson, and James (pro Adams) were always on the ball.

Thus ended Cock-house Match for 1879, leaving Upcott's the winners by one goal and two tries to two tries. It may be interesting to know that this is the first time that the winners have got through a first tie in House-match since 1873, and that the only other year in which they have had the cup they were a tie with Beesly's in 1871.

The teams were composed as follows:-Upcott'sJ. A. H. Craufurd, Capt. (three-quarter back), E. J. Gunner (three-quarter back), H. Adams (half-back), H. T. Ravenhill, R. Dawson, J. H. Pinder, B. Foord, G. C. Alston (back), N. C. Taylor (back), F. J. Bryant, F. E. Rowe, A. P. Kerry (half-back), J. Cooper, V. G. Daltry, L. A. Turner, W. J. Callendar, P. H. Eliot, E. C. Foot, J. R. Donne, B. H. R. Daltry.

Horner's-F. Duncan, Capt. (three-quarter back), H. J. Glennie (back), H. M. Crookenden, E. Mahon (half-back), G. H. Evans, A. H. H. Maclean (threequarter back), J. F. Robertson, A. H. Tanqueray, W. M. Richards, H. Adams, R. G. Cross (H. M. Carey pro), A. P. Glyn, L. C. R. Thring (half-back), E. R. Stokoe, F. Alston, H. Robertson, G. A. Highton, C. E. Pine-Coffin, J. S. Mellish, H. G. Vassall.

SKATING.

ON the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 10th, the terminal Chapel half-holiday was given by the Master. The day was fine but cloudy, and though a thaw set in the ice was quite safe and strong owing to the extraordinary severity of the frost which had been prevailing for some time. It was arranged therefore that those of the School whom the fates had not deprived of their holiday should start by the 9.10 train to skate at Savernake. The Common Room, to give eclat to the proceedings and encouragement to the skaters, had offered two prizes to be contended for-one for those above 15, another for those under. The train arrived at Savernake very punctually with its load of 200 boys, and at 9.40 the first heat was started by Mr. Way on the Devizes side of the first bridge. The ice was very wet owing to the thaw, but still it was smoother than it had been the day before, and on the whole the course was in fair order.

About twenty had entered of the Seniors and 30 of the Juniors. The distance was about half a mile for the trial heats of the Seniors and a quarter of a mile for the Juniors, with double the distance in the Finals.

After three trial heats the Final of those over 15 was won by Craufurd. Tatham was second. They made a very good race, but at the last turn the former went away and won in good style. The winner is the more worthy of the prize in that he is one of the best of the School at figuring as well as in point of pace.

In the other race Prest won easily, skating very strongly. G. Thompson came in second. The racing took about an hour; the rest of the time was devoted to private evolutions, and the 200 returned home by the 1.35 train, very wet and very hungry, in good time for dinner, which had been very thoughtfully put off till 2 o'clock to meet the exigencies of the case and the requirements of the skaters.

M. C. N. H. S.

Nov. 20th.-General Meeting. G. F. Rodwell, Esq., read a paper on a "Journey through Iceland," exhibiting numerous maps and drawings.

Dec. 4th.-The President gave an account of the Barrow opened by the Wilts Archeological Society, also of the various sorts of Thermometers.

M.C.P.R.S.

OUR appeal for help towards obtaining a Piano for our Penny Readings has already been answered in a far more liberal way than we ever expected. W. R. Hardy, Esq., the father of a present Marlburian, has made us a very handsome present of a Cottage Pianoforte, which has already made its appearance at the College. The Committee feel sure that the School will join with them in expressing their gratitude to Mr. Hardy for his very kind present. Previous donations from well wishers have been applied towards paying the carriage of the piano.

L. M. Thornton, University College, Oxford, 1st Class in Jurisprudence.

L. R. Furneaux, 1st Class in Classical Moderations. Printed by PERKINS & SON, at their General Printing Office, Waterloo House, Marlborough.