SOCCER-IT-TO-'EM!

The Shrove Tide football match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, is an annual event where the town divides into Uppards and Downards. The game, played on a two-mile pitch marked by old mill wheels, has been a tradition for over two centuries. Participants chase a special cork-filled ball, with the only reward being the ball itself and the honour of scoring. This year, each side scored one goal, continuing the historic rivalry.

What event marks the start of the Shrove Tide football match in Ashbourne?

• The raising of a ball

• A cannon fire

• A whistle blow

• The ringing of a bell

How are the teams in the Shrove Tide football match divided?

• By age groups

• By family names

• By geographical location

• By skill level

What is unique about the pitch used in the Shrove Tide football match?

• It is a sandy beach

• It is an indoor arena

• It is a two-mile stretch

• It is a circular field

What is the special feature of the ball used in the Shrove Tide football match?

• It is filled with cork

• It is filled with water

• It is filled with air

• It is filled with sand

What is the main reward for scoring a goal in the Shrove Tide football match?

• Keeping the ball

• A cash prize

• A medal

• A trophy