the annual shrovetide soccer match has been played for more then 300 years in ashbourne, derbyshire, UK. it is a game short on rules and long on physical contact contested between the Up'ards (those born north of the river henmore) and the down'ards (those born south of the river).
the goals are the waterwheels at clifton (target for the down'ards) and at stursdton (target for the Up'ards), 3 miles (4.8 Km) apart.
the playing field is all the water and land in between, excluding the churchyard, where ball games are forbidden. players must be in the river to score a goal, which they do by banging the ball three times against the waterweel.
