The 250th Annual Knighthood Competition

The opening day of the 250th Annual Knighthood Competition. Continues following evenings at 6pm until won. It's sure to be a momentous occasion!

The Knighthood is thought to be the second oldest sporting competition in the world and probably the oldest continuously played bowls competition, having originally started in 1776, making it older than the FA Cup (1871) and The Ashes (1882)!

It is a unique competition in which the mat and jack can be placed anywhere on the green! Bowlers then have just two woods to try and get the closest.

The Knights of the Green, dressed in their top hats and tails, measure and record the results. The closest 'gentleman commoner' wins a point, the first to 7 points becomes Knight Elect.

The Lord Mayor of Southampton and Town Crier are also in attendance watching the proceedings.

A fantastic day out for spectators to enjoy one of the oldest and most unique competitions in the world on the oldest bowling green in the world!

Get a preview and see how it works here:

Also check out other Contests in Southampton.