Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/132

124 became his prize. The scholars of the duke's school also played a game on the ground. On the termination of the sport the committee adjourned to the guest hall at the castle, where they were entertained.—Kelso Chronicle, 29 Feb. 1884.

Football at Chester-le-Street.—The annual football match between the "up-street" and "down-street" inhabitants of Chester-le-Street took place on Shrove Tuesday. The "up-street" people, it need scarcely be said, live on the level, the "down-streeters" occupying the banks of the burn; and the struggle takes place in the street, the windows along the route being barricaded. At one o'clock Mr. Joseph Murray, in front of the Queen's Head Hotel, kicked off the ball, which was at once taken down the street, when it got into the burn; but the combatants rushed into the water, where a scrimmage took place, and the leather was soon taken on to the rising ground beyond, and thence to the residence of Mr. Marshall at Castle View. At this point a hare ran across the path, and was caught. Recrossing the burn, the ball, after a short deviation along Pelton Lane, was driven up the bank, and the "up-streeters" for the time were successful. The "down-streeters" soon brought back the ball to their own locality, however; and during the remainder of the day it did not reach the up-town territory more than two or three times. The advantage all day indeed, was with the "down-streeters."

Football at Sedgefield.—It has been the custom from time immemorial for the Sedgefield church clerk and sexton to find a football to be played for by the tradesmen and countrymen of that village on Shrove Tuesday. This year the ball was provided by Mr. G. Robinson, who holds both offices. The tradesmen's goal is at the south end of the village, near Spring Lane; and the countrymen's a "pond" at the north end. The ball was put through the bull-ring in the middle of the village green exactly at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, by Mr. G. Robinson, and was then in for play. Both sides were determined to win or die, as it were; and more reckless play we have not witnessed. No rules were adhered to, and scraped shins became the order of the day. After play lasting three hours and fifteen minutes, the tradesmen were declared the victors, they having succeeded in passing the ball over the pond.