WATCH: Self preservation amid the rough and tumble of an age-old tradition

It was a complete whitewash in the boys’ ba’, with the Doonies crushing their opponents 10-0.

There was a moral victory for the Uppies men as they won 9-4, helped along by scores from the very young Josh and Kyle Notman, helped along by ba’ stalwarts, dad Lee and uncle Ronnie.

Bill Gillies, who, along with wife Rennie, launched the ba’ for the men’s match, said he was delighted with the turn-out.

He said: “Ten years ago, it was going through a slump, and we had eight or nine men contesting the men’s game.

“But this year, we had 38 people going for the ba’ ... the way it has built up over the years has been heartening.

“But the boys’ ba’s just seems to get better and better. Jed Thistle were away to Wales this year, but there was still a big following.

“I think having the exhibition of the ba’ memorabilia helped greatly.

“Next year, we hope to be able to take it on tour, perhaps to Ancrum or Denholm.”

Mr Gillies refuted claims in the press that the ba’ game was violent.

He said: “We had seven or eight Frenchmen taking part this year and I think one of them got a bit of a knock.

“It’s not purposefully violent, but if you have an argument with the tarmac, the tarmac will win every time.

“It’s all about self-preservation.

“It’s about knowing you could get hurt, yet also knowing you probably won’t.”

Results

Boys Ba’: Uppies 0 Doonies 10.

Scorers: Cameron Clamp (2), Connor Graham, Steven Davidson (2), Lewis Cockburn (2), Jack Amos, Jamie Ferguson and Declan Craig.

Mens Ba’: Uppies 9 Doonies 4.

Scorers: (Doonies) Andrew Thomson, Ross Hird (2) and Curtis Stewart. (Uppies) Bruce Lothian, Davie Gobby (2), Joe Crawford (2), Josh Notman, Kyle Notman, Jack Turnbull and Sean Linton.