TAILPIECE Numerous reports have reached us of an activity for which we can find no place in our traditional list of contents and about which there is considerable disagreement. Some say that it is harmless or even that its participants are inspired by the highest ideals—they are indeed known to their admirers as the "Saints". Others condemn it as deeply subversive. We confess to finding some grounds for disquiet. Organised by a notorious Irish rebel, the "Saints" boast openly of clashes with York City Police and even with their own Masters. It is clear that they have wide contacts—with underground movements elsewhere as well as with Schools long since converted to their activities. They claim to have been involved in as many as 18 incidents and to have triumphed in 8. Our own investigator, whose loyalty to "the ancient ways" is beyond doubt, reports as follows : — "The activity in question, which is indeed pursued with singular zeal, may perhaps best be described as a primitive, or maybe perverted, form of Rugby. The ball appears to have been compressed at both ends to form a perfect sphere, so that its bounce is predictable and its control a mere matter of skill. This skill the participants love to exhibit in solo displays of virtuosity worthy of jugglers or ballet dancers: there is none of that manly grappling with your opponent with which we are familiar. It is an activity, in short, fit rather for wily Greeks than for sturdy Romans. "In their reports the 'Saints' appear to be guilty of the sort of exaggerated claims so often made by aspiring minorities. Their 'huge crowd' was in fact a mere 150 spectators. They are apparently unable to raise complete teams: on no occasion did I count more than 22 men on the field. And their goalposts are makeshift constructions: as the uprights never extend beyond the crossbar, it is difficult to judge with any certainty when a goal has been scored. " I cannot feel that there is any real threat here to the status quo.". While taking due note of this conclusion, we shall keep a close watch on developments.
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