The annual Wadebridge v Egloshayle fixture was riven with controversy after it emerged that a good percentage of so-called ‘Wadebridge’ players actually came from the ‘Egloshayle’ side of the river.
Wadebridge claimed that it was just because it could not raise enough players for the day, but that was dismissed as “disingenuous, and ignores the role that under-the-counter inducements might have played,” according to the spokesman for the local Paranoid Conspiracy Theories Society, who wished to remain anonymous.
An Egloshayle player claimed that as Wadebridge couldn't field a full team, the club captains believed they should lose 1/3 of their score, so giving Egloshayle the victory. The club captains play for Egloshayle, it was pointed out by the rival Society for Theories of Paranoid Conspiracy.
Reports that the matter has been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne are unconfirmed.
In the meantime, the score of Wadebridge 108 - 82 Egloshayle remains on the record books.
“I thought it was a good, friendly, entertaining match, with lots of firing and celebratory whooping and cheering,” said sports correspondent, Ron Naive.
Photos Pat Archer
