New faces ensure Hobkirk hand ba’ is in safe hands

Neil Douglas is on hand at the receiving end of a clearing throw from Danny Landles.

But despite snow and wild winds in the morning, around 50 men turned out for the annual ba’ game on Monday.

Five ba’s were contested on roads around the village, of which four were hailed by the victorious uppies.

Long-standing supporter Henry Douglas said: “The numbers were as healthy as last year, although the weather did keep a few folk away.

Will Donald threw a Ba' up at Hobkirk with Roisin Russell

“Numbers from Jedburgh were down in particular, but it was good to see visitors from Hawick and a couple of younger players taking part for the first time. There were a few regulars absent as they were late getting home from Italy from the rugby.

“There seemed to be more uppies as well, and I’m not sure why, but all the ba’s were very keenly contested.”

Mr and Mrs Jimmy Russell’s diamond wedding ba’ was hailed by uppie John Fishwick, Mr and Mrs Donald Clark’s ruby wedding ba’ by uppie Robbie Linton, Mr and Mrs Scott Anderson’s wedding ba’ by uppie Beak Crawford, Hobkirk Community Council’s ba’ by downie Brandon Beck and the Horse and Hound Inn’s ba’ by uppie Tam Lothian.

Jedburgh game takes place today, with the boys’ ba’ at noon and the men’s at 2pm.