HALDON Group of Young Farmers’ Clubs Ladies Tug of War team travelled to Tenby Wells Show for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Tug of War finals on Saturday, August 6, where they competed against teams from across England and Wales.

The team won every pull in their group round, which took them into the semi-finals against Hermon YFC where they won both ends.

In the finals Haldon ladies lost both ends, putting them in second place to Trecastle YFC.

On Sunday, September 7, the ladies team took a short journey to the Cheshire Game and Angling Fair for their last mandatory pull before representing England.

The team pulled in three weight categories against other ladies/youth teams from across England. The girls took a gold medal home in the 540kg, beating Gloucester ACF in the finals.

On Friday, August 12, the team travelled to Llandrindod Wells, Wales for the first British and Irish Outdoor Tug of War Championships where they represented as the England B team in the 560kg competition.

The team joined the other nations (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) on the Saturday morning for the official opening ceremony and parade.

The team finished second in their group, only dropping ends to Kilroe (England A).  In the semi-finals the team pulled Scotland A but lost two ends to one.

The pull-off for Bronze was against Kilroe (England A), but the more established team took two ends off Haldon, resulting in fourth place for the newcomers from Devon.

On Sunday, August 14, the Haldon Ladies competed at the British and Irish Open Outdoor TOW competition.

The team went through with just one defeat to Team Army, and a 1-1 draw to Scotland A to finish in second position in the group round.

In the cross over, Haldon ladies saw a defeat against Scotland, with Team Army taking two ends from the Welsh team.

In the finals Haldon and Team Army pulled, with the latter winning the pull 2-0, putting Haldon Ladies into silver position.

Onto the 560kg competition, the Haldon ladies topped the group, winning all pulls they were put up against.

After taking both pulls in the semi-finals against Cornhill (Scotland) and two ends from Bedford in the finals, the girls took away a well-deserved gold medal.

The team would like to extend thanks to companies and individuals who have given sponsorship towards the England clothing, travel and expenses.

Special mention goes to Cllr Tony Dempster, Francis Clark, Dartmouth YFC, Devon YFC, Newton St Cyres YFC, Rainbow Ltd, Crediton NFU, Jilly and Edwin Greed, Plymouth NFU, Quickes Farm, Cllr David Rollason, Andrew Goodridge, Sue and Mark Venn, John and Jan Yeoman and Neville Sparey.

For updates on the Haldon TOW team, see the “Facebook” group: Haldon YFC Tug Of War .