This match was extremely important in the development of ice hockey in Britain. It was the first time the Bury Fen squad left their native Fens to face a team from another part of England. The London team they met was a combination side that was officially known as the "Virginia Water Team". Most of the players were from the Virginia Water Hockey Club. It was also the first time that the contrasting styles of play - the National Skating Association had published two sets of rules for the Fen and Metropolitan (London) districts in 1883 - met head-on.