Waves of excitement for naval uckers tournament

Over the years sailors have developed their own set of rules and the competition to be crowned uckers champions is fierce.

Last week the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, hosted an uckers tournament where 16 players battled it out, and enjoyed some old-fashioned camaraderie.

Player Dave Simpson said: ‘I really enjoyed taking part.

‘Mind you, I would have enjoyed it more if I had won and got the prize of a bottle of rum, but I’ll definitely be back to try again next year.’

The game is played by either two or four people. To travel around the board two dice are thrown, players move the amount shown on the dice, a six permitting an extra turn.

It is traditional for the champions to receive a bottle of rum – donated by Pussers.

Steve Moffat, an Uckers Ya Uckers board maker, supplied the game board and also developed a specially-made board as an extra prize.

Gareth Brettell, engagement and learning officer at the museum, said: ‘Uckers is a game that is played by all the branches of the Royal Navy so we decided to hold an uckers tournament at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum this year.

‘We are delighted to continue in a tradition that forms an important part of naval heritage.’

The eventual winners, Frank Fowler and Harry Stannard, received certificates and prizes of a trophy and framed pictures on top of the donated rum and specially-made board.

Mr Brettell added: ‘Well done to all the teams.

‘It was great to see the enthusiasm, the banter and the skill with which they played.

‘Some of the other visitors to museum were intrigued to find out about this naval tradition.’

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