It’s about as far from a game of polo as you can get.

But King Charles still gave his seal of approval to the decidedly tough Scottish handball game of ‘Hand Ba’ yesterday, despite the concerns of his own protection officers.

The 77-year-old monarch threw in the first ba’ – which initially had ribbons attached – for the traditional street sport in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, which dates back to 1704.

But the 20 burly players immediately surged forward for the loose ba’ – ball – and formed a ruck within a couple of yards of the King, prompting his security officers to abandon their positions and rush to his aid.

However Charles remained unruffled and simply took a couple of steps back to avoid the melee.

Before throwing in the ba’ the King jokingly asked the men – who represent the town’s Uppies and Doonies – where the Health and Safety was, to which one player replied: ‘There is no Health and Safety here!’

Jethart Callants Club president Charlie Young, who handed over the ba’ to be launched, said: ‘The King was chuckling away at what was going on. He was loving the roughness of it all.

‘He actually knows the game and said he had played it in Ashbourne in Derbyshire but I have no idea when that was. 

King Charles threw in the first ba’ – which initially had ribbons attached – for the tough Scottish handball game of ‘Hand Ba’ in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire

The 20 burly players immediately surged forward for the loose ba’ – ball – and formed a ruck within a couple of yards of the King

Hand Ba’ is a full-contact sport pitting two teams against each other in a massive rugby-style scrum. Players attempt to hail – or score – a straw-stuffed leather ball at their respective endpoints

Jethart Callants Club president Charlie Young, who handed over the ba’ to be launched, said: ‘The King was chuckling away at what was going on. He was loving the roughness of it all’

‘Ashbourne also has a handball history but it is called handba’ here and it is something we are very proud of in Jedburgh.

‘Our annual game takes place in February and it can get a bit rough so the shop windows all get boarded up. It’s full contact and not really any rules.

‘This was supposed to be an exhibition match but perhaps not unsurprisingly it got a wee bit heated out there.’

Hand Ba’ is a full-contact sport pitting two teams against each other in a massive rugby-style scrum. Players attempt to hail – or score – a straw-stuffed leather ball at their respective endpoints.

The ball can be hidden under clothing or even in shopping bags and is considered a vital part of the game’s strategy.

The players were involved in an unceremonious scrummage for almost five minutes in front of thousands of people lapping up the sunshine in Jedburgh’s Market Square before the Uppies broke away to win the game 1-0.

The action was also watched by the local Lord Lieutenant John Jeffrey – who welcomed the King to Jedburgh – and his former Scotland Grand Slam rugby team mates Roy Laidlaw and John Rutherford who would have revelled being involved in such a ‘stramash’ in their heyday.

It was the first Royal visit to the town since the Princess Royal opened the refurbished Jedforest Bandstand in 2006.

King Charles meets former Scotland rugby union player Roy Laidlaw during his visit to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders

Dancers performing during King Charles III’s visit to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, as part of the King’s visit to Scotland for Holyrood Week

Charles’ visit to the Borders town was concluded by visits to three High Street shops – Briggsy’s butchers, Stems of Jedburgh florist and Jedburgh Chocolate House 

The King is in Scotland as part of his annual ‘royal week’ north of the border. 

Jedforest Instrumental Band provided the background music as the King told them he used to play the trumpet.

At the bandstand the King inspected the works of several local businesses including the Abbey Bridge Cafe.

Owner Greg Hope, 24, said: ‘He liked the look of the pizzas we had and said he was very fond of the pizza in north east Scotland.

‘He was asking how the business all started and what was all involved.’

Jedburgh is currently midway through its annual summer festival and prior to the handba’ exhibition, a pipe band led a procession of horses through the town’s streets headed by this year’s Jethart Callant Robbie Thomson, 25.

He then dismounted and along with five other festival principals danced a traditional reel for His Majesty in the main square.

Charles’ visit to the Borders town was concluded by visits to three High Street shops – Briggsy’s butchers, Stems of Jedburgh florist and Jedburgh Chocolate House.