A glance at these rules will show that they were most primitive in conception, especially Rule No. lc:), and very simple as compared with those at present in vogue. A goal was obtainable by placing the ball on the end of the bath, or on a floating stage in the water. Although simple, they very nearly led to a fatal accident at Portsmouth, because it was necessary, in order to obtain a goal, for a team to press down in full force with one of the players holding the ball, the rest of his team round closing him so as to prevent the ball being secured by the opposing side. The ball was not allowed to be thrown, the players having to swim with it in their hands, or push it in front of them. The occasion on which Mr. j. Mayger—now ex-President of the Midland Counties Swimming Association and a well-known Rugby footballer—nearly lost his life was in the second match between England and Birmingham Leander. A fierce struggle took place near the Leander goal, which was a heavy pontoon moored against the side of a gun boat. The tide was flowing in that direction, and Mr. Mayger, who was playing for England, was in a scrimmage pushed beneath the surface and under the pontoon. The rest of the swimmers, in their frantic endeavours to gain a goal, prevented him from getting clear. It was only when nearly insensible that his rescue was effected.
In the meantime, an attempt had been made by Mr. W. Henry to induce the English Association, then styled the Swimming Association of Great Britain, to recognise the game, and to formulate. a set of rules for general use among clubs, as certain individual clubs were making rules of their own. No support was accorded to the proposition, and, as a matter of fact, only the proposer and seconder voted in favour of it. The Midlanders were, however, keen on the subject, and on May 20, 1884, a meeting of the clubs in the district was held at Burton on .Trent, and a resolution was adopted to the effect that a Midland Counties Swimming and Aquatic Football Association be formed, the chief object being the promotion of the game of water-polo in the Midlands. This decided action induced
z. Each side shall be represented by not less than six players.
2. Each side shall wear caps of a distinctive colour. The width of goal to be io feet, marked by flags. The ball to be not less than 8 inches in diameter.
3. The duration of the game not to exceed twenty minutes ; one minute allowed at half-time to change ends.
4. The captains shall agree or toss for choice of goals.
5. Each side shall appoint an umpire ; a referee shall also be appointed. The decision of the umpires in all questions of fact to be final ; but in the case of the umpires disagreeing, then an appeal shall be made to the referee, whose decision shall be final ; the referee shall also act as time-keeper.
6. The players shall enter the water and place themselves in line at their respective goals. A player leaving the water shall take no further part in the game.
7. The referee shall stand in a line with the centre of the course, and, after ascertaining that the captains are ready, shall give the word Go 1' at the same time throwing the ball into the centre.
8. The umpires shall take their stand at each end of the course and follow the game silently ; a goal or foul to be declared by whistle.
9. The ball may be passed from one player to another, and carried either on or below the surface.
io. A goal to be obtained only by the ball being taken up by hand and fairly placed on the goal line, which may be the end of a bath, floating-stage, pole, or plank.
1. No player to interfere with the goal-keeper, or hold his opponents in any way, unless they are in possession of the ball or touching it.
12. All players must stop in their places directly the whistle is sounded by either of the umpires.
53. When the ball by any chance shall go out of play, it shall be thrown in a straight line into the middle of the course, by the referee, from the place where it went out. A player throwing the ball over his own goal-line shall concede a corner throw to his opponents ; but if the attacking party throw the ball over, the goal-keeper shall return the ball in a direct line from where it went out.