Artmouth found it well-nigh impregnable, and Artmouth's backs were reckoned good men.
"If we had three more men in our line as heavy and steady as Browning, Cowan, and Carey," said Devoe, "we might hope to get our backs through; but, as it is, they'll get the jump on us, I fear, and tear up our offense before it gets agoing." "The only course," answered one of the coaches, "is to get to work and put starch into the line as well as we can, and to perfect the backs at kicking and running.

Luckily that close-formation has the merit of concealing the point of attack until it's under way, and it's just possible that we'll manage to fool them." And so Jones and Mills went to work with renewed vigor the next day.

But the second team, playing tackle-back after the style of Robinson's warriors, was too much for any defense that the varsity could put up, and got its distance time after time.

The coaches evolved and tried several plays designed to stop it, but none proved really successful.
Neil returned to practise that afternoon, his right shoulder protected by a wonderful leather contrivance which was the cause of much good-natured fun.

He didn't get near the line-up, however, but was allowed to take part in signal practise, and was then set to kicking goals from placement.