The height of the goal-posts was decreased, especially in the deep end, and the width of goals increased. The office of umpire was abolisfied, and that of goal judge substituted, whilst the referee was granted further and far more stringent power in dealing with the players than heretofore. Goal keepers were prohibited from throwing the ball more than half the length of the bath when standing, and carrying the ball under the arm was disallowed.
Then followed a wonderful development in the game, more especially in the South, primarily due to the formation of the London Water-Polo League, a body whose sole object is to advance the game in every possible way. It has no legislative powers, and is affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association.
A meeting of London clubs was called in z889 by Mr. A. Sinclair, and, although but sparsely attended, it was determined to found a League for London and district, the convener of the meeting acting as hon. secretary for the three succeeding seasons. The promoters felt quite satisfied that the matter would be properly taken up, but they were more than sur prised to find that when the entries for the first competi tion closed no fewer than twenty-one clubs had affiliated. The competition was not at first carried out on the League principle, but by the ordinary method. The work of the League was, however, not by any means confined to the mere holding of a competition. It drew up a set of instruc tions for referees, arranged inter-town matches, and, what is more important than all, started the now popular county games.
The first county match under its auspices--Middlesex v.
Surrey—was played at the annual gala of the Tadpole Club, held at Kensington on September 18, 184 Middlesex winning by five goals to love. Through the League, a much better feeling than had previously existed was engendered among metropolitan swimming clubs, and the game was taken up strongly in the southern counties. This caused frequent discussions among players as to the different styles of play then in vogue in England, and in March 1890, at the annual general meeting of the Midland Counties' Association, a body whose membership was smaller than that of the League, the old Midland aquatic polo rules were discarded, and those framed by the A.S.A. adopted. As the Northern Association
had, soon after its formation, accepted the National rules, and thereby abolished several local styles of play, the desired con. summation—one system of play for the whole of the clubs in England—was arrived at.
As may be naturally imagined, the Scotch clubs had not been idle. They had gradually improved their rules, making the game more scientific and less rough ; but, although the majority simply played under one set of conditions, the inven tive Edinburgh League, and one or two similar organisations, made local alterations. The official rules were the following 1. The play to last 54 minutes, with teams of 7 aside. Teams to change ends at halt-time.
2. The teams shall be distinguished by the players wearing caps of different colours. Goal-posts to be 7 feet wide, 6 feet high from the surface of the water, and fixed 2 feet 6 inches from the end of pond. The ball to be 261- and not more than 28f inches in circum ference.
3. The captains shall agree or toss for choice of ends.
4. Each side shall appoint an umpire, and a referee shall be appointed by mutual agreement, whose decisions in all cases of dispute shall be final.
5. At the commencement of the play the referee shall stand at the centre of the side of the bath, and shall then blow a whistle to signify to the captains to get ready, and after ascertaining that they are ready he shall give the word Go,' at the same time throwing the ball into the centre of the bath.
- 6: All players, with the exception of goal-keeper, shall enter the water immediately at the commencement of the game, and remain in the water while the ball is in play.
7. No player shall be allowed to duck an opponent unless such opponent shall be in possession of the ball ; no holding or pulling back of any opponent, nor (with the exception of goal-keeper) play ing the ball with both hands.
8. A goal shall only be scored when the ball has been thrown or placed between the goal-posts under the bar.
9. Fouls to be declared by whistle ; goals, half-time, and time to be declared by bell.
so. No player, with the exception of goal-keeper, shall be allowed to stand on bottom of bath while playing the ball.