The annual tournament kicked off at 3pm when Central Television presenter Louella
Bailey launched the giant silver ball out of the first floor window of Barclays Bank.
Prior to the event, sweets were showered onto the town’s children, waiting eagerly
below.
After two hours of a good-natured, but hectic, bruising tussle the winner was declared
at 5pm as Lee Rolinson, as he was the one left holding the ball. Surprisingly, there were
no serious no injuries.
Historically the game was a battle between two teams, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.
The prize was a bag of gold and the privilege of serving in the army for a year, which, at
the time, guaranteed a regular wage.
Atherstone is not the only place that stages this unusual annual sport. Other locations
include Sedgefield in County Durham, Ashbourne in Derbyshire and St Columb Major in
Cornwall.
