Surfootball Game Is Spreading

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 13 May 1961, Page 5

Surfootball Game Is Spreading

Some think of Twickenham and some of Cardiff Arms, some long for the Lancaster Park roar; but where can be found such a fine football ground as the smooth North Beach pitch on the shore. On the shore, on the shore, on the shore, past seaweed and driftwood to score . . .

Last Sunday the North Beach Surf Life-Saving Club played the New Brighton Surf Lafe-Saving Club at Rugby on the beach in front of the North Beach surf pavilion for the West Cup. It was the fourteenth annual game of surfootball between the clubs.

Some want Rugby brighter, with loose forwards tighter, some long for the 2-3-2 scrum of yore; but grimness so grand, just sheer grit and sand, is what counts in the game by the shore. On the shore, on the shore, on the shore, urged on by the sea's steady roar . . .

The match resulted in a draw. There were no goal posts, no boots, no beg-your-pardons. and no score. But the game did not lack col-

our. The 30 players wore 23 different jerseys and one hooker was easily the most distinguished player—wearing long trousers.

Some critics are bitter of players not fitter than the giants who have gone before: but where can be found such a good testing ground as the paddock that lies by the shore. On the shore, on the shore, on the shore, where the soft sand discloses the flaws . . . The game of surfootball is now being played by North Island surf life-saving clubs and has spread to Australia. However, the tradition of both teams ducking the referee in the sea immediately after the final whistle remains the peculiar custom of the originators of the game. North Beach and New Brighton. / shan’t go down to the sea again, to the lonely shore and the litter; where no bands will play until New Year s Day—Oh dear, the thought is bitter.—R. S. L.