Tonight is the second game in Workington’s Uppies and Downies series of 2023 and the Downies have it all to play for.
Uppies secured the victory on Good Friday – with a heroic run to Workington Hall by an injured Leon Dymatrowski.
Uppies and Downies has been played in Workington for hundreds of years – there are three games over Easter; on Good Friday, Easter Tuesday and the following Saturday.
The specially-made ball is thrown off from the Cloffocks at 6.30pm and then Uppies have to get the ball to Workington Hall and Downies to the harbour.
Predicted wet weather from the Met Office has arrived too and there are weather warnings in place for high winds. If you’re playing, please be careful out there!
Please refresh the page for our live updates.
You can see photos from Good Friday’s game here
10.13pm
Thanks for joining us! We’ll be at the Saturday game as well, once we’ve dried out! Please join us from 6pm…..
10.03pm
From a reliable source – Nathan Askew got the ball but passed it to his best friend’s dad Brian Fearon to hail. So Brian Fearon is the hailer.
9.56pm
General consensus is Nathan Askew hailed the ball, so that’s who we’ll go with until we’re told differently.
9.44pm
We’re being told it’s Nathan Askew who has hailed the ball……or it could be Brian Fearon…or Cameron McCue
9.39pm
Celebrations in middle of Washington Street from the Uppies
9.33pm
Hailer unclear
9.32pm
UPPIES WIN. UPPIES 2-DOWNIES 0.
9.31pm
People coming back from the dock it’s not gone down.
9.30pm
Still unclear…who has the ball?
9.29pm
But Lucy can hear lots of shouts from Hall Park
9.27pm
Not nailing my colours to any mast in particular, but I live in the bottom end of town and I can hear shouting.
9.26pm
Although Lucy’s heard it’s gone up in a car….
9.22pm
If it has gone down, it was a masterstroke from the Downies – how they pulled that off is unbelievable – although there are rumours it is in a car heading for the dock.
9.21pm
Mark says there is general confusion in the car park – and some think it’s gone down, according to Young Rab. Steve Fryer is looking for the ball.
9.20pm
Lucy and Ben think it’s in the centre of town somewhere and are hot on its trail
9.19pm
Ball has disappeared
9.17pm
It was a very speedy run
9.16pm
Sudden run and scatter down car park – it’s going DOWN
9.12pm
Now moving back up. Both sides are toughing it out and pushing hard to win
9.11pm
Stuck in car park
9.10pm
But now going back down car park – it’s going down again
9.09pm
Rain has started to come down fast again
9.08pm
Out of nowhere, it’s suddenly started to move up very quickly
9.04pm
9.03pm
Massive struggle to keep ball out of beck
9.02pm
9.01pm
Heading towards the beck again – Lucy says it’s like an unending tug-of-war
8.58pm
Hearing loud Downie shouts for the first time. Was this the plan, hold the Uppies then push back?
8.57pm
We’re rocking forth towards bridge and back towards beck
8.56pm
Another push back towards the tunnel but it’s going round in a big circle
8.54pm
Mark was wrong. Rain has returned.
8.53pm
Downies looking frantic to get the ball to the beck.
8.52pm
Rain may have stopped a little, Mark says.
8.51pm
Uppies are rallying. Lots of Uppies chanting but not a huge amount of movement. It’s getting close to the beck – with a very strong push from the Downies.
8.50pm
8.49pm
Lots of pushing and shouting but Downies must be putting up a fight to get it into the beck. Moved back down a little but Uppies pushing back
8.46pm
Hoping Mark hasn’t got hypothermia. Latest from the frontline: “Uppies and Downies Hokey Cokey – in out up down and shake it all about.”
8.45pm
Pushing back now – have some more Downies come out to play?
8.44pm
8.43pm
At the top of the car park now, where it narrows for the tunnel. Lots of chanting of ‘Up up up!’
8.42pm
For those of you of a certain age, Mark is sure he’s just heard ‘heave…..heave’….so he now thinks Bagpuss is an Uppie.
8.41pm
Scrum still on the top of the bank, we’re thinking the Uppies have it…. ball thrown up the car park
8.40pm
8.36pm
Just over two hours in and we’re pretty much in the same position we were on Good Friday – is Dima waiting in the wings to make a dash for it?
8.34pm
Thrown towards the beck then back onto the car park
8.33pm
Despite the warnings, people still park on the Cloffocks car park……..
8.32pm
Are Uppies trying for a repeat of Friday? Towards the tunnel we go…..at least it’s a bit of shelter, even if they do scare the pigeons.
8.31pm
Momentum pushing up now, moving at a decent rate for the scrum towards the bingo. Past halfway up the car park. Rain has eased off.
8.30pm
Back into the scrum for this soaked player
8.27pm
Lots of shouting and pushing – to stay in the weather this long just shows how much people enjoy this game
8.25pm
Moving fast – getting nearer to the bingo. Wind is bordering on icy and dark draws in
8.24pm
People chanting up and a huge push in the car park. Ball’s out onto the main car park again pushing up. It’s moving quickly now.
8.22pm
Police van closer to the action than it was on Good Friday….
8.21pm
Nearly at the beck by the leisure centre. Big rush towards it. Spirits remain high.
8.20pm
Sudden movement within the scrum and crowd
8.19pm
Young man picking up litter as the scrum pushes up
8.18pm
Still in the field but past half way to the leisure centre – too early to call?
8.16pm
Lots of struggling in the field. Crowds still out in force. This must be one of the wettest Uppies and Downies games in recent years…..
8.15pm
8.14pm
8.12pm
Moving slowly over the fence into the field – we have a sense of deja vu here
8.08pm
We’re now about level with the big car park the fair uses
8.05pm
Intensity of game is building – shouts getting louder.
8.04pm
Meanwhile, kids have decided to play mud slides in the grass…there’s going to be lots of unhappy mums…
8.03pm
Uppies going for broke on this one – shouts of ‘Come on Uppies, push!’
8.02pm
Ball is on Griffin Street and here’s some spectators:
7.59pm
Think ball is on Griffin Street – but to be confirmed – slowly pushing up.
7.57pm
BALL IN ROAD. Batted about by hands like a volleyball – stayed airborne for half a beat!
7.56pm
Two very excited teenage girls screaming and smiling saying they got in the scrum! Brave souls!! And the rain is getting heavier…..
7.54pm
Visitor to the town? Car is the only thing to make a break for it in this game so far as the scrum pushes forward
7.51pm
Lucy says there’s a strong smell of sweat and mud in the air – these lads are tough. I’m wondering if we can get Chanel interested for a new fragrance. Eau d’Uppie anyone?
7.48pm
Mark concerned there may be some ILLEGAL steam engine use by players, which of course, we all know was outlawed in 1865 (kidding – we know there are no rules)
7.47pm
Players having a quick breather before sprinting back in – we’re now in the other car park…..it’s going upwards
7.46pm
Not sure an umbrella is enough…..
7.45pm
Into the shrubbery by the car park
7.44pm
Scrum looks like a hot tub in winter, the amount of steam coming off of it……
7.43pm
Distinct lack of Mr Whippy tonight, maybe he was scared off after Good Friday (if you know, you know).
7.42pm
Very excited group of young lads saying they participated and had six older lads on top of them with the ball! The next generation of players no doubt…
7.40pm
We do love our job but it’s getting really cold now.
7.39pm
A very wet game two of uppies and downies in Workington. Our Carlisle colleagues can’t believe the game is real! ???? pic.twitter.com/ZanqSxg0tG
— Allerdale Police (@Allerdalepolice) April 11, 2023
7.38pm
7.36pm
It’s getting dark – so now subtlety may come into play.
7.35pm
Stationary in the car park,lots of effort. We think the Uppies have the numbers but the Downies are determined.
7.31pm
It’s a feisty game, says Lucy and tensions are running high. We’re an hour in, the rain is pelting down – she can barely feel her fingers, but the crowds are still large….
7.29pm
Lots of tension and lots of pushing back and forward.
7.29pm
We bet they haven’t paid.
7.24pm
Uppies and Downies: The exodus:
Uppies and Downies: The aftermath
7.23pm
7.22pm
WE’RE IN THE COUNCIL CAR PARK
7.20pm
Fifty minutes in and the rain and wind are picking up.
7.19pm
Nearly up into the council car park but…, back on the bank. Players slipping down the embankment – it’s slowly turning into a mud slide
7.18pm
Another burst of action – still pushing to get up the bank closest to the car park. Log jam at the bridge.
7.17pm
7.16pm
A very active ball but a very static scrum – despite lots of shoving.
7.15pm
Flurries of activity but back on the council side still in the beck
7.14pm
Mum and daughter chatting with us say they just need to scop it! We definitely need a nice big throw right now…instead it’s struggling up the embankment slowly..
7.12pm
Still a decent crowd though
7.11pm
Ball moves onto the opposite bank but people are screaming get it up!!! Reds side of the bank about 15ft from where it started
7.09pm
Mark getting jealous – he says ‘Must be nice and warm in that scrum.’ He’s freezing.
7.06pm
Lots of steam coming off the scrum. This is not an easy match…
7.04pm
Joe Clark in the thick of it, as ever.
Spectators with brollies aren’t here to mess about! Lots of red noses, hands and cheeks as rain nips with cold winds.
7.02pm
fighting through bushes as ball heads to other side again
7.01pm
Across and onto the bank…….then back in the beck
6.59pm
Very tough struggle going on right now. The official team colours for Uppies and Downies is mud at the moment.
6.58pm
And as I typed that, the ball went right up the bank and straight into crowd of spectators! and then back down again into the beck.
6.57pm
Despite lots of energy in the scrum, that ball isn’t moving.
6.56pm
From the blessing earlier:
6.54pm
Lots of intensity but little movement – still stuck on side of beck. Both sides putting up a fight tonight. Lots of cars parked with people inside watching – smart spectators! Rain is bringing a chill with it.
6.53pm
6.51pm
Decoy ball goes into the scrum and straight back out leading some players to give it a confused glance
6.51pm
6.48pm
Ball trailed back into beck and is now going slowly to other side of beck
6.46pm
One spectator has screamed out “come on Uppies!” with one youngster saying excitedly “it’s going down!”
6.43pm
Ball moves towards the field! On the path between the beck and the dog track.
6.41pm
Still right next to the bridge – crowd very excited, screaming has started as ball moves around
6.40pm
Scrum has shuffled towards the council offices slightly. Went under the bridge then thrown back over. Back in the beck next
6.39pm
Ball right up into the air! despite the weather and cold there’s lots of energy in the scrum – but still in the beck
6.38pm
On the bank right next to the bridge. Cold night but the scrum already has steam coming off it. Lots of mud and puddles but lots of smiling faces and an immense turnout considering the weather
6.35pm
6.32pm
We’re in the beck right next to the bridge Tesco side.
6.30pm
And we’re off! Ball has been thrown. The ball was thrown off by Imogen Daglish, following in her grandad, dad and brothers’ footsteps. It was the eight-year-old’s first time and she said she was excited to carry on the tradition but a bit nervous as well.
Joe said the lads before a game will often chat and joke about having nervous tummies and that they all have their own rituals before it starts. He also recalled the various times balls have been taken away in cars (which led to unanimous agreement to stop using cars) and once in a pram – with a baby inside!
Joe said they always look out for each other and watch each other’s heads while in the scrum.
6.28pm
Uppie Joe Clark, the longest playing Uppies and Downies player also attended the blessing.
He said: “We look after each other, we have to. In all the years I’ve played I’ve never seen thuggery or violence – it’s tribal.”
Joe is playing tonight and proudly displayed his socks tucked into his trousers – grinning ear to ear in the poor weather he said he still felt the same excitement he first felt at 14 years old playing in 1966.
6.26pm
6.24pm
We spotted a Downie, who shall remain nameless, checking out various routes to the river over the Easter weekend. Do they have a plan?
6.19pm
Photographer Mark has joined the festivities. He has one word: Moist.
6.15pm
Only 15 minutes until the throw-off. Will Downies manage to gain the advantage early on? How many players will there be? It’s high tide too, as well as the spell of strong wind predicted by the Met Office until 11pm tonight.
6.12pm
Vicar Ian Grainger has blessed a plaque on the Cloffocks bridge which commemorates the four players who have died during play. George Young died in 1828, Chris Smith died in 1882, John Johnstone died in 1932 and Robert Storey died in 1983.
Ian Grainger gave thanks for history of game and tradition and the led the group in remembering those lost in the game.
The stone was blessed – Ian has been watching on and off for 21 years.
6.03pm
It’s looking a bit grim from the car, say Lucy and Ben – who are in Tesco’s car park with lots of other spectators to see the action – including the police!
We’ve got small groups stood within the trees and on the path on both sides of the beck and a few families and little ones turning up, as well as some groups of teenagers.
