UPDATE! The #Shrovetide ball has broke from the hug and IS HEADING TO #STURSTON. 2 minutes to go.

Will the Up'ards make it in time?!
#Ashbourne #Shrovetide2023

@BenCotterill Still 0 - 0.
20 minutes to go and the Down'ards have stopped the rot. Ball now stopped in the Rugby pitches.
Unless a runner can take the ball away from the hug now it will remain goalless at the end of play on day 1
#Ashbourne #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023

Next reported siting was on Church St. heading in the opposite direction!!!

The hug managed to re-form by The Green Man but by then the momentum was all Up. Madge's Corner, back to Shaw Croft, into the fishpond and out the other side, over the brook and into the Rugby fields in the blink of an eye. Well, about an hour anyway!

The teams have 35 minutes to goal the boal and there's only one team in it. Can the Up'ards goal before 10 o'clock? #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne

The crowd are in the edge of the park by the fire station. Just as the Down'ards seem to have pushed it back towards Park Road the hug swings around and we're getting close to the fishpond.

Up'ards might have the upper hand now. Cries of "Down wi it" start to sound a bit deparate now as we start to lose the light.

But still everything to play for

#Ashbourne #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023

The short visit to #Ashbourne's John Street doesn't last and the crowd charge back down Park Road to the edge of the car park.

It's on the edge of the park as Down'ards try to get in back into the car park This could be a crucial turning point. The hug swings back and forth by the pedestrian crossing. Could it end up in the pond?

#Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023

The ball is finally retrieved and soon everyone is chasing the ball up Park Road to Madge's Corner and into John Street.

#Ashbourne #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023

pictures from https://twitter.com/ShrovetideLive

Cross-post from https://twitter.com/AndySavage1969

One of my unique drone shots of Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football 2023. Taken safely from a distance away from crowds (as per CAA regulations) #Shrovetide2023 #Shrovetide #Ashbourne

Current location of the #Shrovetide ball is... uncertain. The hug is here though!

#Ashbourne #Shrovetide2023

Cross-post from https://twitter.com/ShrovetideLive

Moved out of the car park #Shrovetide2023 #ShrovetideLive #Ashbourne #Shrovetide

Up'ards have just about moved the Hug out of the car park into Park Rd and we could heading towards the fire station.

Down'ards bring it to a halt and several bodies climb on the shoulders of the Hug to try digging out the ball then suddenly they're all heading back into Shaw Croft car park.

If it gets into the park, Up'ards will have an advantage trying to push towards Sturston. Down'ards deparate to keep it in the streets

#Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne

Cross-Post from https://twitter.com/ShrovetideLive

Ball stuck in the back of garden by Shawcroft car park #shrovetide2023 #shrovetidelive #Ashbourne

Overheard voice on the livestream: "It'll take another half hour just to get off the car park"
#Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne

The #Shrovetide ball is up against wall by the flats behind Shaw Croft car park. All goes calm for a few moments while they sort themselves out. Shouts of "1,2,3 Heave" and after a short stalemate the hug edges toward Park Road #Ashbourne #Shrovetide2023

And we're off. The ball is turned-up and it looks like the ball is in the hug in Shaw Croft car park #Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne #Shrovetide

Live streaming on Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1djGXlvwYrBGZ

Cross-post from @AshbourneNews Here we go! #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne

Cross-post from @StoryHubDerby

It's the calm before the storm in #Ashbourne ahead of #Shrovetide - see our photos of the boarded-up shops and follow our updates here: https://storyhubderby.co.uk/2023/02/21/ashbourne-royal-shrovetide-2023-live-updates-from-day-one/ #shrovetide2023 #storyhub

Cross-post from https://twitter.com/derbyshire_live

Today's turner-up Paul Cook in the VIP area #shrovetide #shrovetide2023

Follow our live updates throughout the day here: https://bit.ly/3Ih7XMo

A message from the Royal Shrovetide Players Committee...

#Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne

Cross-post from https://twitter.com/vpdd (Visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

The world's oldest game of football kicks off in #Ashbourne tomorrow! ⚽

The Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football match has been held on #ShroveTuesday #PancakeDay since 1667 🥞🙌

Here’s everything you need to know about this unique local tradition 👇
https://t.co/ojK7BXHitU

#Ashbourne #Shrovetide #Shrovetide2023

Cross post from https://twitter.com/AshbourneNews

Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide begins today and the town is buzzing with anticipation https://bit.ly/3xDRehr #shrovetide #shrovetide2023 #Ashbourne