Btw I am not defending sports scholarships I just like to see cold hard evidence. Here's a question if New's 14 of the 1stXV were indeed on sports scholarships why didn't the Gang of FIve boycott any of the New rugby games?
You may well have answered that question earlier when you said that Dr Mulford had gone to the other heads beforehand, told them it was a small year group and maybe got a nod and a wink. They probably didn't realise the extent. Another reason would be that Scots seem to have instituted a systematic programme of fostering elite sport with the stated aim of achieving "dominance in sport", whereas Newington seem to have put together a one off team which happened also to coincide with their 150th.
A quick look at the Shore v Newington rugby results from 7th Sept indicates an even day of competition (other than 1st XV) rather than dominance.
NC won ...................................................................Shore won
1st 48-3 ..................................................................2nd 17-16
16A 12-7 ......................16B 5 all .............................14A 25-5
15A 20-12 ................................................................14B 61-14
13A 38-14..................................................................13B 27-14
15B 12-7