Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

Ben Rosamond, 35, from Swadlincote has come to support his friends who are all playing for the Up'Ards.

He said: "I might chuck my shoulders in, here or there" but is predominantly here to spectate.

It's a slightly different day for 25-year-old Bertie Linnell, from Ashbourne. As an Up'Ard, he will be in the thick of things hoping to overturn the deficit.

He was not involved yesterday and with a cheeky grin, he said it was why "thing went wrong".

"It's a good laugh, you play with your mates and it's a nice battle. That's the best thing about it," he said.

Alex Thorp
BBC News, East Midlands

This was the moment the Down'Ards scored last night to take the lead in this year's Royal Shrovetide.

Martyn Taylor was lifted on to the shoulders of his teammates after tapping the ball against the goal to get the opener against rivals the Up'Ards.

The teams must attempt to manoeuvre the ball across their respective sides of the town, before tapping the ball three times against the goals at either end.

Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

Despite hundreds of people descending on Ashbourne for Shrovetide festivities, Yuksel Albas, 41, and his wife Oumkaltoum Laghrissi, 29, had no idea the event was taking place.

They arrived at the market place with their son for a nice day in the sunshine.

Mr Albas said: "I looked and everywhere is closed and I thought, what is going off?"

Once we told them what was happening here today, they promptly got back in the car and left.

Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

Turning up the ball today is Brian Pegg. He's waiting on the plinth with today's ball which has been painted especially for him and has his name on.

Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

Hundreds of Up'Ards can be seen making their way down to Shawcroft car park together.

Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

Zack Dakin, 29, is one of the Up'Ards gathering on the market place before they head down to Shawcroft carpark for the start of the game.

He says "people don't care about Christmas when Shrovetide comes around, people [here] dream about it, and dream about scoring a ball".

Zack has been telling me when the ball went missing yesterday it was allegedly with a Down'Ard who was "hiding in a bush" until it got dark.

Up'Ards are now making their way down to Shawcroft carpark together.

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

The ball used is painted, made of leather, and is slightly larger than a modern football.

It’s filled with cork chippings so it floats, in case the hug heads into the river at any point.

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

To quote legendary football commentator Barry Davies: "Look at his face, just look at his face."

Here we have scorer Martyn Taylor - who goaled the ball late on last night for the Down'Ards.

On the shoulders of his fellow players, with the ball in his hands, he was clapped and cheered as he was carried to the Greenman pub.

Chants of "Down'Ards, Down'Ards" reverberated along the street. I don't think he paid for a pint...

We're on the board... Down'Ards 1-0 Up'Ards

Image source, Kristian Fearn/Discover Ashbourne

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

Today in Ashbourne will be a dry and fine day with plenty of sunshine. There will be a gentle south-westerly breeze. Highs of 12C - that's 53F. Just don't blame me if it starts raining...

Alex Thorp
BBC News, East Midlands

Here's a look back at some of yesterday's action.

The score at the end of the first day ended 1-0 to the Down'Ards.

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

Good afternoon and welcome back to coverage of what is the biggest event in Ashbourne's calendar. It's not pancakes, it's Shrovetide Football.

As things stand, the Down'Ards lead 1-0 - thanks to Martyn Taylor who may or may not have a slightly sore head this morning...

So strap up your shoes and get ready for day two.

Image source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Image source, Photo by ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

...but we'll be ending our live coverage here for today as the sun sets in Ashbourne.

We're leaving you on a cliffhanger, because the ball has disappeared and nobody seems to know where it is.

And there’s still all to play for as there's currently a no-score draw between the Down'Ards and the Up'Ards.

Play is rolling into tomorrow, when it will resume at Shawcroft from 14:00 GMT.

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

Rules? It’s not that complicated.

Scoring is achieved by any means necessary - and pretty much anything goes inside “the hug” as the melee is affectionately known.

One official rule states that "unnecessary violence is frowned upon".

Image source, Reuters

The most recent rule added said you can’t use a motorised vehicle to carry the ball.

You also can’t take the game into cemeteries, churchyards and private gardens.

Another simply says: “Murder and manslaughter are prohibited."

Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News, East Midlands

The ball appeared to be missing for a while and there were rumours it had gone into Henmore Brook, which runs through the town.

However, it has now been located in Church Street, meaning it is on the north side of the brook.

The score is still 0-0.

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

Players and spectators will be pleased to know the forecast is for sunshine today and tomorrow.

The BBC weather forecast is for clear skies, nothing more than a moderate breeze, and zero chance of rain.

Highs of 11C today and 13C on Wednesday are predicted.

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

Image source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

There are some guidelines too that the Shrovetide Players Committee had been keen to point out:

• Use the free park and ride in Blenheim Road if visiting the town over the two days
• Don’t bring or buy drinks in glass bottles and leave your pets at home
• Try to keep your distance, especially if you're elderly, vulnerable or have young children with you
• And follow the instructions of the marshals at all times

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

This year the ongoing Ashbourne Reborn project clashes with Royal Shrovetide Football.

Public realm works in Dig Street and Buxton Hill were stopped on Friday 28 February and work would resume on Monday 10 March.

St John Street will then close to traffic with diversions in place.

The £15.2m Ashbourne Reborn project, by Derbyshire Dales District and Derbyshire County councils, aims to improve the pedestrian experience in the town with wider pavements and upgraded crossings.

Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

"It's beautiful but as a Shrovetider, you want rain and snow and cold to get rid of people to get a good game," said Claire Smith.

The 38-year-old has been coming to Royal Shrovetide since she was a child and now brings her daughter.

She says it's a fantastic community event, but it's more enjoyable when the weather is bad.

Ms Smith is here with her cousin Helen Lyons, 54, who says the game is a huge "tradition" that they need to keep up.

Isaac Ashe
BBC News, Derby

Image source, Beth Harrison

It’s not usually a high-scoring affair.

Last year’s football ended with a 2-0 win for the Up’Ards.

The team goaled once on each day to take the win.

Heidi Booth
BBC News, Ashbourne

"I touched the ball, I got both hands on it."

I met Anton van Marion this morning, he is here from Grimsby to witness Shrovetide for the first time.

He was determined to touch the ball and he managed it, not long after the game began.

"It was suffocating, really hot," he said.

Enjoy your pint Anton!