HALDON Ladies Tug of War team picked up two Golds and a Silver at the British and Irish Outdoor Tug of War Championships, just one week after winning the National Young Farmers’ finals at Tenbury Countryside Show.

The team which is coached by Mark Hutchins, is predominately made up from members of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers’ Club, and aged between 17 and 28.

The Ladies team got through to the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Club Tug of War finals after winning the Devon and South West Area finals earlier in the year.

The team topped their group in the early stages, which made them qualify for the semi-finals against Hermon YFC (Pembrokeshire) where they won both ends, and then onto win the finals against Tenbury Ladies (Worcestershire YFC) where they won two ends to one.

The team made steady progress to reach the winning spot this year after coming fifth in 2014, third in 2015 and second in 2016.

Club captain Emma Davie said: “The team has worked really hard at training sessions twice a week to get to a high level of fitness and strength for these competitions.

“We have travelled to lots of extra weekend competitions over the last few weeks to provide more preparation for these bigger pulls.”

Devon Young Farmers’ celebrated double gold at the National YFC finals as Anstey YFC also achieved their goal of becoming National champions.

The men’s team, which was made up of members from Anstey YFC, Culm Valley YFC and Chagford YFC, went all the way to the finals only losing one end in the early stages of the competition, where they met Whitley Chapel from Northumbria winning the first two ends.

Chris Warne, Captain of Anstey YFC Tug of War team, said: “We have been aiming to win this competition for many years, it’s a great achievement and the teams’ dedication and training has paid off! Our team wouldn’t have achieved this result without our coach Nick Skelton, so a big thanks to him for his continued support.”

Just one week after the National Young Farmers’ finals, the Ladies team attended the British and Irish Outdoor Tug of War Championships in Paisley, Scotland where they represented as England B in the Ladies 560kg competition.

The group stage included England A, Scotland A and B, Wales A and B, Ireland A and Northern Ireland A.

Having pulled all the teams and only losing one end, meant Haldon qualified for the semi-finals against Wales, which they won 2-0.

Onto the Finals against England A (York) which went onto three ends, with the third and winning end going to Haldon.

The team went on to compete in the Open championships the following day where they won the Ladies 560kg competition beating York in the Finals, and collecting Silver in the mixed 4x4 560kg team with Haldon men, losing to Kilroe who collected Gold.

Following their recent success, the team is training for the last couple of competitions; Widecombe Fair on Tuesday, September 12, and the 2017 European Outdoor Tug of War Championships which are taking place from September 21-24 in Southport.

The team is looking for funding/sponsorship for the 2017/2018 season. If any businesses or individuals would like more information, they are asked to please contact Georgina by email at: [email protected] .

Further information about tug of war in England is available from the Tug of War Association website at: www.tugofwar.co.uk .

You can also follow the Tug of War Association on “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “Instagram” by searching for: @englandtugofwar . 

Haldon Tug of War will be holding a bingo fundraiser at The Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum on Tuesday, September 5, doors open at 7pm and eyes down at 7.30pm. There will be a raffle, a licensed bar and food available on the night.

Anyone interested in joining Haldon tug of war team is welcome to contact Emma Davie on 07835 253760.

Alan Quick