On Sunday, August 5th, the day after a very successful UK National Championships, Carmarthens Trinity College ground on Llanstephan Road was the venue of the United Kingdom Open Clubs Championships.

With fine weather the ground conditions were excellent and some very high quality tug of war was witnessed. One disappointing note was that only Llanboidy of the Welsh clubs were present.

Starting with the 600k class it soon became evident that the winners of the International 600 the previous day were still in top form.

Sandhurst from England were the team to beat in a competition where pulls over three minutes were the norm rather than the exception.

Llanboidy proved that they are up to the standard required by making it to the semi finals after a series of long pulls. They met Felton from Bristol in the semi but despite a gallant effort had to concede defeat.

Sandhurst meanwhile, had to endure a five minute twenty seconds pull before overcoming Bosley from the Midlands for the other final spot. They made no mistake in the final, taking out Felton in two straight ends.

In the 680k event it was again the English teams who were top dogs with St Pats having enough men to put in two teams and those good enough for both to reach the semi finals.

Llanboidy again proved a point by making it through to the semis where they came up against Bosley. Our lads made a brave effort but the men from the Midlands had too much to offer. In a titanic battle in the final the St. Pats A team eventually overcame Bosley to capture gold.

The Ladies class followed and only three teams entering. Kilroe, gold medalist for England the previous day proved that they are a class act comfortably coming out on top against their fellow countrywomen Bedford with Scotlands Glasgow Vets third.

The mens 720 class could also only draw three entries, Bosley and St Pats from the Midlands and St Ouen from Jersey. The opening match decided the medals but it took St Pats three hard ends to overcome Bosley for the gold.

St Ouen were not quite in the same league but competed well nevertheless.

In the 640 class, St Pats once again entered two teams and it was their A team that looked favourites for the title winning all their group matches. Llanboidy, for the third time in the day reached the semi final stage but then came up against Sandhurst who until that pull had looked a bit tired, but they were too powerful for a Llanboidy team that had given their very best over two long days.

St Pats A overcame Bosley in the other semi to set up a final with Sandhurst. It was only then that Sandhurst moved into top gear and in what was almost an anti climax they easily accounted for the St Pats outfit to capture their second gold of the day.