2023 Midland Area Championships Results
Teams competing
Men – Felton Eccles, Lincoln, Upton upon Severn, Upper Eden, Anstey, Madoch, Bedfordshire, East Anglia, Brown Clee, Bosley
Ladies/Junior – Melton Mowbray, Upper Eden (A and B), Bosley, Bedford Ladies, Bedfordshire, Haye-on-Wye, Upton upon Severn, Army Ladies
There was another good day of tug of war at the Midland Championships in Shropshire, with lots of pulling for all of the teams taking part with many weights pulled as large groups providing some very close competition, although some of the weights later in the competition were split into two groups to ensure that the event did not run on too late.
The mens competitions saw Felton Eccles win the catchweight competition for the second week in a row ahead of Lincoln who finished as this week’s runners up. Lincoln then went on to win the other three mens weight classes at 600kg, 640kg and 680kg with Felton Eccles finishing as runners up in the 640kg and 680kg. In the 600kg, there were loads of really competitive ends with teams taking ends off each other in many instances, with Upper Eden finishing as the eventual runners up.
In the ladies and youth weights, Bedford Ladies made a strong start in the first two weight classes at 560kg and 540kg by taking gold in each weight, with Melton Mowbray finishing as runners up on both occasions and it was great to see lots of teams taking part in these competitions with lots of ladies and juniors on the field. In the final weight, Melton Mowbray and Bedford Ladies met in the deciding pull which went to three ends, with Bedford Ladies taking the first end and Melton Ladies taking the next two to take gold.
The final weight of the day was the mixed 580 with Lincoln, Bedfordshire, East Anglia, Upton, Bosley A and Bosley B taking part. Lincoln won the competition without dropping an end, so it was a battle between the rest of the teams for the runners up spot. Bosley A finished as the eventual runners up to take the silver medal.
Well done to all of the clubs taking part and thanks to the West Midland Showground in Shrewsbury for hosting the event.
As a final note, good luck to Bedfordshire, Lincoln and Felton Eccles who will be competing at the Familie Janssens international competition in Belgium at the weekend.
Officials – Gavin Corden, Roger Beardsmore, Mick Grimston, Dave Kitchener, Mick Scull, Karl Bonehan, Sarah Gallagher, Caroline Kenny, Mark Williams, Heidi Maddison, Liz Hulme.
