Somerset against all England (1808)
SOMERSETSHIRE.
A grand match of single-stick, Somerset against all England, took place at Frome a few days since, and afforded much excellent sport: it was truly a feast for the amateurs of that manly exercise. The principal object of this match was to afford the Somerset and Wiltshire gamesters an opportunity ot displaying their prowess. The Wiltshiremen, after losing six heads, declined for the first day all farther contest; and the Somersetmen of course secured that day’s prize, but not without first exciting the admiration of the spectators, by the excellent sport amongst themselves that they displayed. The second day, a very strong party trom Wiltshire attended, and both parties (though in the most friendly manner) seemed determined to uphold the fame their counties have so long enjoyed.
The Somersetmen, who on this day met the Wiltshire without padding, had six tyes of two heads each, before their opponents could claim one; at length, however, the Wiltshire obtained two tyes; but the odds being so great in favour of Somerset, those gamesters offered the two Wiltshire tyes their portion of the prize, which they cheerfully accepted, and both parties spent the remainder of the day together with good will and harmony.