Rain fails to stop play as doonies come out on top

Around 40 men turned out at the green in Denholm on Monday to vie to win each of the eight ba’s, and it was the doonies who hailed the majority, beating the uppies five to three.

The event traditionally sees ba’s donated by couples married in the village, included two diamond wedding anniversary ba’s, two silver anniversaries and a ba’ sponsored by anewly-wed couple.

Prizes of £50 and £25 in cash, as well as several gallons of beer, were up for grabs.

The first ba’ played was for Alec and Isabel Notman’s diamond wedding, and it was hailed up by Jay Linton.

Lee Notman scored with George and Barbara White’s diamond wedding ba’.

Silver wedding balls were hailed by by Stewart Ramsay and Rhuri McLeod, and John Fishwick also scored with a wedding ba’. One sponsored by Denholm Community Council was scored down by Declan Cleghorn.

Both pubs also offered sponsorship, with the Fox and Hounds Inn putting out a prize of two gallons on its ba’, scored down by Kris Rowley. Jamie Bowie scored up one sponsored by the Auld Cross Keys Inn.

Hand ba’ author Hugh Hornby travelled up from Lancashire to take part in the games, and he said: “It’s great crack and its nice to be involved in a tradition like this.

“There’s some pain and hardship involved, but that’s part of the point in a way.

“It’s a great way of celebrating the old tradition.”

The games continued until around 8.30pm.

 More photos on pages 61 to 63