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Up'Ards win Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football

Beth Harrison Up'ArdsBeth Harrison
The Up'Ards goaled the ball on both days

The second day of an ancient football game in Derbyshire has finished with a victory to the Up'Ards.

Thousands of players turned out again for Royal Shrovetide Football in Ashbourne.

The game has taken place nearly every year since 1667 and features rival players in teams called the Up'Ards and Down'Ards competing to move the ball to opposite ends of the town.

The Up'Ards goaled for a second time on Wednesday evening.

The team also took the honours on the first day of play.

Reuters Royal Shrovetide Football game in AshbourneReuters
Players scramble for the ball during play on day two

Ashbourne builder David Calladine had the honour of "turning the ball up" to get play under way at 14:00 GMT.

On Tuesday the honour had fallen to farmer John Tomlinson.

At about 21:30 GMT on Tuesday, Will Nash "goaled" the ball for the Up'Ards, giving them the advantage.

This year's clash featured the "biggest" ball in the event's history.

Reuters Players from the Up'ards and Down'ards teams compete for the ball in the Henmore BrookReuters
Players from the Up'ards and Down'ards teams compete for the ball in the Henmore Brook
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