National Indoor Tug of War Championships 2019 Results
The 2019 National Indoor Tug of War Championships took place on Saturday 7 December at the Harry Mitchell Centre in Smethwick, West Midlands and the teams that took part once again gave us a good showcase of competitive tug of war. Sure we don’t have as many teams doing indoor tug of war as we do on the outdoor circuit but that did not detract from the competition or the efforts of the teams that train all winter to compete.
The first weight of the day was the catchweight competition. Bosley and Uppertown opened the proceedings with 2018 defending champions Uppertown performing strongly to take a 2 ends to 0 win. Uppertown won their remaining pulls to top the group to reach the final. Bosley and Sheen were tied in joint second place in the group and when the TWIF criteria was applied Sheen progressed to the final. In the final, Sheen gave a good account of themselves, but it was defending champions Uppertown that dominated in the final and they took a well deserved gold medal by 2 ends to 0.
After the catchweight final, a special presentation of a new catchweight indoor championship trophy was presented by Sheen Farmers TOWC in memory of the late Andy Hall (“Hally”). Thanks to Sheen for kindly donating the new trophy in Hally's honour.
The next weight of the day was the mens 640kg competition. Raunds went into this weight as defending champions and they had a tight pull against Bosley first on which they won by 2 ends to 0. This match was followed up with another competitive match between Kilroe and Bosley, which Kilroe won by 2 ends to 0. As the seeds in this weight from 2018, Raunds and Kilroe met in the final round and had a tough battle which Raunds won by 2 ends to 0. Both of these teams met again in the 2019 final, and again we were treated to a great final. Kilroe attacked from the drop and got very close to taking the first end, and with Raunds hanging on both teams were picking up cautions with Kilroe eventually picking up their third caution and the pull was awarded to Raunds. On the final, it was another competitive end, but Raunds had the edge and they took the gold medal by 2 ends to 0.
The next weight was the 560kg, which was taking place for the first time after a 2 year gap. This year the final took place between Kilroe and Bosley and both teams should first of all be commended for encouraging a number of new pullers between them to the indoor circuit this year. In a good tight final Bosley had the edge over both ends to take a well deserved gold medal by 2 ends to 0 to win the national indoor 560kg for the very first time.
The next weight class was the 720kg. Sheen and Uppertown contested the final and as with the catchweight competition, both teams gave us a good final, but again Uppertown had the edge and they took a well deserved gold medal by 2 ends to 0 to retain their 2018 crown.
The 600kg competition followed and Kilroe went into this weight as 2018 winners. They again reached the final where they met Bosley for the second time in a lightweight final. As with the 560kg, it was another tight final, but bosley again had the edge to take their second gold medal of the day by 2 ends to 0.
The final weight of the day was the 680kg competition. This was a full group competition with all teams entered. Uppertown started off by defeating Kilroe and Raunds started off by defeating Sheen. There was some good battles throughout and the top four teams at the end of the group were Uppertown, Raunds, Sheen and Bosley. Uppertown and Raunds progressed to the final and Sheen and Bosley went through to the bronze medal match.
The bronze medal match was first on with a good battle between Sheen and Bosley which Bosley won by 2 ends to 0. The final was another good match between Raunds and defending champions Uppertown, It was a good entertaining final which Uppertown won by 2 ends to 0 to win a well deserved third gold medal of the day.
At the final presentations after the 680kg competition, the chief judge Gavin Corden was presented with the chief judges award. At the outdoor championships, a small cup is always presented to the Chief Judge, which is held for a year and handed on to the next chief judge. This has not been done for the indoor championships up until now. Recently, the TOWA was donated the Kent TOWA Chairman’s medal that was held by the late Ernie Jones and it was determined by the committee to utilise this medal for the purposes of an annual award to the indoor nationals Chief Judge as Ernie loved his judging, which the TOWA believes is a very fitting tribute.
Well done to all of the clubs that took part and thanks again to all of the teams and officials that have supported the indoor circuit again this year. We are always looking to encourage more men, ladies and juniors onto the indoor circuit, so if your teams are interested in taking part in the 2020 Indoor Season, then please get in touch or keep an eye out on our web site for further info!
In the meantime, we have the British and Irish Indoor Tug of War Championships taking place on 1 and 2 February 2020 at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, and we hope to see lots of teams and supporters there!
In the meantime, this was the final competition of the 2019 season and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all teams, volunteers, supporters, and officials that have taken part across the indoor and outdoor circuit this year for your help, support and enthusiasm and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2020!
Results Summary
Catchweight – 1. Uppertown (Derbyshire) – 2. Sheen (Staffordshire) - 3. Bosley (Cheshire)
640kg – 1. Raunds (Northamptonshire) – 2. Kilroe (Lancashire) – 3. Bosley (Cheshire)
560kg – 1. Bosley (Cheshire) – 2. Kilroe (Lancashire)
720kg – 1. Uppertown (Derbyshire) – 2. Sheen (Staffordshire)
600kg – 1. Bosley (Cheshire) – 2. Kilroe (Lancashire)
680kg – 1. Uppertown (Derbyshire) – 2. Raunds (Northamptonshire) – 3. Bosley (Cheshire)
Thanks to Jamie Dewsberry for the photos and videos.
Championships Officials: Wendy Dyer, Caroline Abri, Gavin Corden, Peter Craft, Pete Dyer, Mick Grimston, John Gracie, Dave Kitchener, Roger Beardsmore, Tony Henshaw, Mike Callaghan, George Ferrett
