A HISTORIC and cherished local sport was revived last weekend with a whole new generation getting involved.

Saturday’s event at Wortley Rugby Club was the first knurr and spell championship held locally in three decades.

A total of 22 players competed for the Alan Pickering Trophy with Jordan Lee coming out on top with a hit of 79 metres.

Organiser Boz Davison called the event ‘a great success’.

He said: “There were four teams from the local areas of Wortley, Thurgoland and Crane Moor competing.

“There were quite a few spectators and amongst them were two of the old players from the 1960 and the 1970s.

“One was Eric Wilson of Grenoside, the 1969 world champion.

“Eric couldn’t resist having a go, 55 years after he won the World Cup.

“The other was Nigel Flower of Barnsley who played in the 1972 World Championship, which was captured on film for those interested.

“It’s well worth watching and very funny.

“Knurr and spell was a big part of the lives of the people in and around Barnsley and it was exciting to see it revived.

“The big championship games were originally played at Barnsley’s Queen’s Ground, which in later years was referred to as the ‘knurr and spell’ Wembley.”

The next game will be on August 1, Yorkshire Day.

For more information, email knurrandspell@yahoo.com.