THE world famous ‘Jethart Ba’ game returned last week.
This ancient ball game, which can be traced back to 1704, is normally played on the Thursday after Shrove Tuesday.
It has no rules, no referees, no officials and consists of the two opposing teams (the Uppies and the Doonies) running amok through the town.
Legend has it that it was originally played with the head of an English soldier, but these days a leather ba’ stuffed with straw and decorated with ribbons is thrown into the crowd to begin the games.
Those taking part have to smuggle, sprint, throw and carry the ba’s to each other’s end of the town.
The Uppies' goal is outside the castle jail and the Doonies' is at the Pleasaunce.
Two games are played involving the youths and the adults of Jedburgh.
During this year’s event, a total of 31 ba's were used in the two games. The Uppies had the upper hand in the youths’ game winning 8-7.
But the Doonies refused to lie doon in the adults' game and won 9-7; making them the overall winners by 16-15.
A similar event took place in Ancrum on Saturday March 12.
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