Form book thrown out the window as Amroth take the win (From Western Telegraph)

Form book thrown out the window as Amroth take the win

Tug of war last weekend returned from the dizzy heights of international events to its grass roots of local, evening catchweight competition.

In the first event of its kind this summer organised by the usually very active YFC movement the Pembrokeshire Young Farmers held a competition at the Show Ground at Haverfordwest last Saturday evening. Although only four teams turned out it proved a successful event and the form book was thrown out of the proverbial window.

Clubs mixed up with one another in order to make up teams and we saw Llysyfran being strengthened by a couple of Tiers Cross pullers whilst Llanboidy put out one of the lightest teams ever seen in a catchweight in order for Clunderwen to be able to put out a reasonable side.

The fourth team had all their own men and big men they were. The men of Amroth Arms were having their first real taste of proper tug of war and they showed that they were not only big in size but big hearted as well.

The pulling started with Llysyfran and Clunderwen, Llysyfran being the first to shake off the rust and surprising their neighbours with a two nil win.

This was followed by the 900 kilo plus Amroth Arms having to put everything they had to the rope to overcome the flyweights of Llanboidy who fought like tigers but in vain as sheer strength and weight took its toll.

After a brief rest the big men of Amroth were back out and despite a great effort by Clunderwen it was another success for the newcomers.

Llanboidy overcame a plucky performance by Llysyfran who are obviously suffering from lack of competition this year but are still a hard team to beat.

Llanboidy were straight back out against Clunderwen but the serious lack of weight was taking its toll and they finally yielded to their friends and neighbours.

Amroth Arms meanwhile were relishing the thought of a clean sweep in their first real competition. Llysyfran did everything they could but had no answer to the sheer pulling power of these big men, who once they get going will take an awful lot of stopping.

So it was a good win for the men of Amroth who immediately celebrated by demolishing the prize of a crate of ale before leaving the field but promised that they will be back.

The need to keep the sport going for a few more weeks this season has prompted Clunderwen to host a competition on Thursday, August 23rd.

Hopefully a few more teams will make an appearance. There must be many more groups of men around like the lads of Amroth who fancy a challenge so now is the time to have a go.