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A huge crowd and fabulous Boxing Day weather ensured a fantastic atmosphere at the traditional Boxing Day tug of war over the River Nidd in Knaresborough.

Teams representing the Half Moon Free House and the neighbouring Mother Shipton Inn take part in the festive fun annually at Low Bridge. Lining up on opposite river banks, they try to pull each other towards the water’s edge.

Town crier Mark Hunter provided commentary from the bridge and besides the two pubs, Rooster’s Brewing Co kept the ale flowing with an outdoor bar.

The Mother Shipton women’s team — featuring members of Harrogate Railway FC — started the day’s sport by winning 2-1. Here we see the Half Moon team sliding towards the river in the opening pull.

The Mother Shipton men’s team then overcame the Half Moon team by the same margin, after a gargantuan second pull that lasted several minutes.

Every pull was won by the team based on the Mother Shipton side.

Knaresborough Lions provided traffic management on a day that also generated funds for Frank’s Fund, a charity set up by the Ashton family in 2019 following the death of their 14-year-old son, Frank, to Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

Here are some photos from the day.

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The victorious Mother Shipton team.

Crowds on the river bank.

 

Town crier Mark Hunter calls the action.

Competition for the best viewing spots was fierce.

The weather was glorious.

The view towards Mother Shipton Inn.

The Rooster’s outside bar.

Town crier Mark Hunter kept the crowd informed.

Hundreds of people lined the banks of the Nidd and Low Bridge.

Harrogate Town take on Accrington Stanley in Boxing Day clash

Harrogate Town are set for a Boxing Day clash with Accrington Stanley.

Town go into the game hoping for three points in their pursuit to solidify their place in EFL League Two.

The game represents the first of a busy Christmas schedule for Harrogate, with Tranmere Rovers visiting the EnviroVent Stadium on Friday and a trip to Morecambe on New Year’s Day.

Harrogate will be hoping to make it three wins from three after beating Grimsby Town 2-1 at Blundell Park on Saturday.

Goals from Liam Gibson and Abraham Odoh sealed three points for Town which leaves them 14th in League Two.

Following the match, Simon Weaver, Town manager, said the win had given the team confidence going into the Boxing Day fixture.

He said:

“There’s a lot to look forward to.

“We’ve said lets make it three wins on the bounce. We’re back at home and it’s hard opposition again.

“But this has given us another level of confidence against a team that have been unbeaten in seven and we’ve won the game. It’s good for team spirit.”

Meanwhile, play-off chasing Accrington Stanley go into the game off the back of a 2-1 win at home to Walsall on Saturday.

Stanley sit eighth in the table, one point off the play-off places.

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