Sports-mad Prince Harry threw himself eagerly into Eton's violent Wall Game at the weekend, emerging muddied but unscathed, and with a big grin on his face. The 17-year-old royal once again proved his love of rugged sport, clearly relishing the action as classmates in tail-coats cheered from the sidelines.
“Harry emerged with no injuries and very much enjoyed himself,” said a spokesman for St James’s Palace. “He played in the loose and had to clear the ball when it came into loose play to get a territorial advantage.
“He was doing a lot of kicking and it was a good match. The ball came into loose play more often than usual, so it was a very exciting game.”
The Wall Game – described as a cross between football and rugby – dates back to the 18th century and pits two teams of ten against each other in an hour-long battle. The rules of the sport, which many find incomprehensible, involve kicking a pumpkin-shaped leather ball to one end of the wall to score a point. It seems scoring is something of a rarity at Eton though, as every game since 1909 – including this year’s match – has ended in a nil-nil draw.
The peculiar sport, played every year to mark St Andrew’s Day, had been prohibited for a time after a player was killed in the 19th century. However, Harry didn’t seem to fear the dangerous game.
“Prince Harry looked as though he was really enjoying it,” said John Francis, an 80-year-old man whose grandson studies at Eton.
“Harry has proved himself to be a real rugged type,” said another onlooker. “This game may be played by privileged people but it can be exceptionally violent at times… Harry threw himself into it wholeheartedly but always fairly. This boy is certainly no wimp.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
