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It is the longest standing and most chaotic New Year's Day football fixture.
The players are not world renowned stars but they become local celebrities for a year.
Violence and passionate support is guaranteed when Kirkwall in Orkney hosts the annual 'Ba'
game.
The mediaeval game is contested by two teams made up of 200 locals -100 born above the
Market Cross - known as the "Uppies" - and 100 born below - called the "Doonies."
The aim is simple, to plant the ba'...a 4lb leather ball filled with cork, in the opposite
end of the town.
The rules are few and far between but must be adhered to - no time limit, no women, no
referee and no players under 15.
As darkness fell on the Scottish village, the Uppies threw the Ba' against the designated
wall in the south end of the town to gain the bragging rights for the rest of the year
- and plenty of pints down the local for their effort.