#Upards about halfway to #Sturston now, and it's proper dark. It'll only take one break away to get it to the goal...
But #Downards could still snatch it!
Green on the left shows the turn-up starting point, red is where we are now. Sturston goal is the heart on the right.
We're in the pond now, open water swimming and heading to #Sturston. #Upards are in charge here... the crowds are heading to the top of the pond in the park. It's going to be tricky for #Downards to turn this one around
#Ashbourne #Shrovetide #shrovetide2024 #RoyalShrovetide2024 #Upards
UPDATE! The #Shrovetide ball has broke from the hug and IS HEADING TO #STURSTON. 2 minutes to go.
Will the Up'ards make it in time?!
#Ashbourne #Shrovetide2023
EDIT: NO!!! It's all over for the day, the ball is stuck in a hedge and the last minute excitement comes to nothing.
0 - 0 at the close of Day 1. Anyone's game tomorrow.
Next reported siting was on Church St. heading in the opposite direction!!!
The hug managed to re-form by The Green Man but by then the momentum was all Up. Madge's Corner, back to Shaw Croft, into the fishpond and out the other side, over the brook and into the Rugby fields in the blink of an eye. Well, about an hour anyway!
The teams have 35 minutes to goal the ball and there's only one team in it. Can the Up'ards goal at #Sturston before 10 o'clock? #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne
Phil Parker Critchley