Bedford Ladies Open Competition 2019 Results
A full days pulling was to be expected with 10 weight competitions scheduled for the day. In all, 10 men's teams, 5 ladies and 2 youth teams made the scales.
The day began with the men's catchweight with a group of 6 running in parallel with the ladies and youth 560kg in a group of 7. After the group rounds, the catchweight final was between Lincoln and Norton with Lincoln winning 2-0. The ladies & youth 560 final was between Whitney boys and Melton YFC (who had squeezed Bedford Ladies out of a final place by having fewer cautions after the group stage). Whitney were eventual winners 2-0 although Melton gave a great account of themselves in readiness for their YFC National Championship in August.
Next on was the Men's 640kg with 7 teams entered and the Ladies and Youth 520kg with 6 teams in the group. The 640 final was between Lincoln, who'd weighed in with 7 men and Norton. In the group stage both teams got an end apiece and ended up on level points, Lincoln went through to the final as group winners being the lighter team. The final was won by Norton 2-0, maybe the extra pair of legs made the difference. Bedford Ladies topped the 520kg Ladies & Youth competition after the group pulls, with Haldon and Melton tied for second place. It went down to weight to decide who met Bedford in the final and with Haldon being 1kg lighter they went through. Bedford were eventual winners 2-0.
The men's 600kg was split into two groups with the winners going through to the final. Lincoln topped group 1 without dropping an end and met Oxney Vines Cross in the final who'd also not dropped an end in their group. Lincoln eventually won 2-0 after 4mins 32s of pulling.
Next was the men's 680kg this was split into two groups along side the Ladies & Youth 540kg which was also split into two groups. The final of the 680 was between Norton and Felton. Norton got there by being lighter than Lincoln as they had both finished on the same points in the group stage, Felton were clear group winners. Felton battled until the end, as they usually do, however they were beaten 2-0 by Norton. After the group stages of the 540kg, the finalists were Haldon and Bedford, both teams being clear group winners. Bedford beat Haldon 2-0 in the final.
Five teams entered the men's 720kg and alongside them was the Ladies & Youth 500kg also with five teams. This meant for a busy field with 4 ropes in action. Lincoln won the group stage of the 720 without dropping an end. they were joined in the final by Felton Eccles. Lincoln were eventual winners 2-0. Whitney Boys topped the group in the 500kg and they were joined in the final by Haldon Ladies. Whitney Boys won 2-0.
Finally the last weight of the day was the mixed 600kg. After a tough days pulling for everyone we were left with a straight final between Haldon and Essex with Haldon winning their first weight of the day 2-0.
The officials were Wendy Dyer, Caroline Abri, Mark Williams as the sharp eyed timekeeper recorders and judges Peter Craft, Ray Fray-Smith, Vic Ludkin, Tony Henshaw, Tony Gray, Peter Dyer, Mick Grimston and Gavin Corden. All of whom did a great job getting through a busy schedule in a respectable time.
Report courtesy of Gavin Corden
Photos courtesy of Jamie Dewsberry
