Village celebrates victory after bottle kicking win

Two neighbouring villages have competed against each other in an ancient annual bottle-kicking event.

Players from the village of Hallaton faced off against rivals from neighbouring Medbourne, near Market Harborough, Leicestershire, for the unusual and ancient Easter Monday tradition.

Huge efforts were made as the teams competed to try to move two of three barrels to the opposing village's stream.

After nearly two hours of bottle-kicking action, Hallaton were victorious in this year's contest, winning the best-of-three event 2-0.

The barrels that are used in the game, nicknamed "bottles", hold around a gallon of beer and are sealed with wax ahead of the game.

Two of the "bottles" contain beer while one is completely wooden, painted red and white, and is referred to as the dummy.

Organisers have said local legend suggested bottle kicking can trace its roots back 2,000 years.

Records of bottle kicking date back to the late 18th Century, but the custom is thought to have originated much earlier.

It is a day which follows "centuries-old customs and practices" and sees money raised for local charities.

At the start of the scramble, a hare pie was blessed by the local vicar, cut up and handed out at around 14:00 BST.

Speaking to the BBC during the battle, Matt Wyatt, who used to play as a teenager, said there was "no safety" during the game.

"This is why it's a game that has gone on for so long, there are no rules and its so different."

John, who is in his late 20s, said the game is like a "gigantic medieval rugby match".

"I always tell people to try and not to get hurt and to touch the barrel at least once," he said.

This year's winners, Hallaton, receive bragging rights for the next 12 months and the two barrels filled with beer, while the losing village, Medbourne, get the dummy.

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