UK OPEN CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007
HARRY MITCHELL CENTRE, SMETHWICK
18 FEBRUARY 2007
There were three clubs from Scotland entered in the various weights throughout the day. Ayrshire, BRC and Kinneff.
600 Kg
The first weight of the day was the 600 Kg and both Ayrshire and BRC had high hopes of making the final. There was no doubt however that BRC was the stronger of the two clubs. It started well with both clubs off to winning starts in each of their group matches. Ayrshire got off to a good start with a win over the fancied BAC team, however they then started to struggle for no apparent reason, dropping a bad point against Ballyhegan. This was to prove very costly later in the day. BRC cruised through to the semi-final and no team looked close to them. Ayrshire found themselves eased out by BAC when the Englishmen won an easy victory over Glens of Antrim, who had already made it through to the semi-final. The final team in the last four was Uppertown of England.
The semi-finals were won by BRC and Uppertown. Glens then pulled well to have their first podium finish in a UK event by beating BAC in the battle for third place. In the final Uppertown brought all of the experience of years of international competition to bear in an attempt to upset BRC. However the Bo’ness team maintained the good form that they had shown throughout to win in straight pulls.
A special mention must be made here for Keith Kirk. This was Keith’s first season at indoor and he is very much the baby of the Scotland squad. However he did not look out of place amongst the seasoned campaigners around him and pulled exceptionally well to claim his gold medal.
640 Kg
This time there were three Scottish clubs involved in the biggest event of the day. Ayrshire and BRC were in one group and Kinneff in the other. Kinneff had the disadvantage of only weighing 617 Kg and had a lot of inexperience in the team. However the 600 Kg bronze medalists from the day before Bill Meston & Ross Davidson once again did a sterling job and battled hard against the odds with every match. The team’s effort was rewarded when Ballyhegan was defeated in an epic last match.
In the other group both Scottish teams progressed well and finished the group in first and second places. The semi final paired Ayrshire with Uppertown and BRC with Raunds. Ayrshire made progress to the final in relatively simple fashion. BRC were then involved in a real battle, but took the first. In the second end Raunds were under pressure almost from the drop and BRC once again pressed for the line. However Raunds began to fight back and also forcing the rope down. Soon both teams were walking a tightrope on two cautions. This was a bit harsh on BRC who had continued to attack throughout. Eventually the judge appeared to lose patience with Raunds on the ground and BRC lifting off it, however there were howls from the crowd as he awarded it to Raunds. The BRC team couldn’t believe it and they were soon shaking their heads in disbelief as Raunds took the winning end in quick time.
BRC could not recover and lost out to Uppertown for third place. In the final Ayrshire showed why they are Scottish Champions. Raunds went at them with everything put Ayrshire were always in control even when under extreme pressure. When the time came coach Bob Warnock asked for a move and he got it as Ayrshire drove all the way to the line. In the second end there was an air of desperation about Raunds as they went to work, and soon Ayrshire had taken control once more and won the end and the Championship.
680 Kg
BRC were Scotland’s only representatives in the 680 Kg. In the group phase BRC progressed smoothly and never dropped a point to qualify in first place. They faced Hedge End in the semi final and this time the Englishmen were keen to make an impression. Hedge End went on the attack from the drop and BRC defended before moving up a gear. Hedge End, in an attempt to halt BRC’s progress began to push th e rope out to their right in an attempt to push BRC off the mats. When that didn’t work they dropped the rope on to the mats and this time it worked. However BRC came off the mats quickest, but both teams were cautioned. Hedge End again pulled it down and took BRC with them. Again BRC were up and driving and again both teams were cautioned. When Hedge End took it down on the line Judge Jim Burns recentred the pull. With the immediate restart there was no time to reflect. This time BRC didn’t hang about and went hard from the start and there was no stopping them. When Hedge End pulled it down the front of BRC’s rope went down but the back stayed on it’s feet and dragged the white tape over the line. There was more drama when a frank and open exchange of views between the number 1’s would have led to a fracas but for the timely intervention of Rab Paterson. There was a change of personnel as new boy James Paterson was replaced by Robin Shankland. James could be proud of his contribution at number 1 in his first major event. With Robin’s experience in the middle of the rope there was no reprieve for Hedge End and the second end was won decisively.
The final saw Sheen Farmers, England’s champions, lying in wait. Sheen were keen to try and impose themselves on BRC but once again getting the Scots to move was a tall order. Sheen produced an initial onslaught that would have had lesser teams crumbling but BRC dug in and set themselves to weather the storm. When the big pushes started to weaken Rab Paterson asked for a response. He got one and BRC began to slowly take the rope. Sheen were trying to respond but all of a sudden they broke and BRC made a drive for the line. The job was now half done.
The second end saw Sheen once again try to take an early advantage but BRC were ready and this time were able to respond more quickly. To the Derbyshire teams great credit they stopped the drive close to the line and put in an attack of their own but BRC were not to be denied and quickly countered to take their second Championship of the day.
660 Kg
In the final event of the day both BRC and Ayrshire were Scotland’s representatives. BRC were looking for a hat trick of Championships, but it was not to be. The tank finally ran dry for the Bo’ness men and they missed out on the semi finals.
Ayrshire did not have an easy ride either. There was a draw with Sheen, but when it mattered there was a comprehensive victory over Raunds. In the semi-final there was another big battle with Hedge End. This time there more erratic judging in the first end. Ayrshire had weathered the expected Hedge End storm and marched down the mat only for Craig Mitchell and Davie Mair to end up off the back of the mats and still no whistle! Thankfully the judge’s oversight did not affect the outcome and Ayrshire moved into the final.
Sheen Farmers must have been heartily sick of the sight of Scottish teams by this time, having lost in the closed when representing England and in the previous weight. They were determined not to lose again and threw everything they had at Ayrshire right from the drop. They succeeded in moving Ayrshire forward but the Scots were under control the whole time. At the appropriate moment Bob Warnock asked for the big effort and his team responded to drag Sheen over and out for the first end.
The second end once again saw Sheen attack, but this time they were more wary. Ayrshire saw their chance and pressed on. Sheen defended desperately but there was to be no stopping Ayrshire and they successfully completed a clean sweep of all UK Championships for the first time in the event’s history.
Thanks………
The Scottish Tug of War Association would like to thank all of its members who travelled to Smethwick for their contribution to what was a fantastic weekend for the Association.