Just to echo what WLD was saying; wartime seemed to suddenly remove some of the snootiness of the Rugby Union types. My dad was a professional, playing as a hooker for Huddersfield and Oldham. He played for Western Approaches, and then the Navy during the war. After the war he went back to Rugby League, saying that Union wasn't really a man's game, as nobody appeared to know how to tackle.

I played both codes as a schoolboy, and was denied a place in the Lancashire Schools Rugby Union side because I played amateur Rugby League for my local team. As you say, it was quite vindictive in those days, but only one way; there was never a problem with Union players playing League.

Guest jimlad; for your wife, and explanation of the offside rule...

You're in a shoe shop, second in the queue for the till. Behind
the shop assistant on the till is a pair of shoes which you have seen and
which you must have.

The female shopper in front of you has seen them also and is
eyeing them with desire.
Both of you have forgotten your purses.
It would be totally rude to push in front of the first woman if
you had no money to pay for the shoes.

The shop assistant remains at the till waiting.
Your friend is trying on another pair of shoes at the back of
the shop and sees your dilemma.

She prepares to throw her purse to you.
If she does so, you can catch the purse, then walk round the
other shopper and buy the shoes.

At a pinch she could throw the purse ahead of the other shopper
and, *whilst it is in flight* you could nip around the other shopper, catch
the purse and buy the shoes.

Always remembering that until the purse had *actually been
thrown* it would be plain wrong to be forward of the other shopper.


But if there is another friend casually leaning
against the counter are they interfering with the purchase?

Tim ;)