UK Championships
2006
Thanks to the following who have supplied the pictures on this page:-
Kathleen Campbell
Michelle Murray
Liz Hewitson
Bronze just missed but English got a fright!!
Halkirk TOW returned home from Belfast after
just missing out on a bronze medal at the UK Tug of War Championships held
on 12 August. Pulling as Scotland A the lads went one better than last year
as they reached the semi-finals this time. In the semis they came up
against England A who had not lost an end in the round robin league.
However England nearly paid for their complacency, with what was probably
the loudest cheer of the day as they were taken to within 4 inches of losing
the first end of the semi. The English team managed to stop Scotland A and
the end went the way of the reigning champions. The second pull went to the
favourites and the Halkirk lads had to settle for a 3rd/4th pull off against
Wales B. After the tough semi, it was Wales B who took the bronze medal by
two pulls to nil. However the lads were delighted to reach the last four
and at least give England a fright in the semis. The 680kg team was Andrew
Swanson, Graham Gunn, Bryan Sinclair (Bruce Swanson Jnr), Johnnie Campbell,
Danny Budge, Willie Budge, John Murray and Michael MacGregor with coach
Bruce Swanson.
League Results
Scotland A 1 – 1 Wales A
Scotland A 2 – 0 Jersey A
Scotland A 0 – 2 England A
Scotland A 2 – 0 Northern Ireland B
Scotland A 0 – 2 England B
Scotland A 2 – 0 Scotland B
Scotland A 1 – 1 Wales B
Scotland A 2 – 0 Northern Ireland B
Semi-Finals
Scotland A 0 – 2 England A
3rd/4th
Scotland A 0 – 2 Wales B
Immediately following the 680kg international was the 640kg open club competition which comprised 29 teams. Halkirk were in a group of 8 and managed to finish 3rd within their league which included teams from England, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The 640kg club team was Andrew Swanson, Graham Gunn, Bryan Sinclair, Bruce Swanson Jnr, Bruce Swanson Snr, Willie Budge, John Murray and Michael MacGregor with coach Johnnie Campbell.
The Belfast Banter
As Association TOW takes us on our grand tour of Europe, the latest stop was Belfast, or 8 miles from, as was the case. Yet again as we left Thurso a Halkirk TOW legend was seen. Not James Allan as was the Cento trip, but James Mackay this time. Little did we know that a similar man would be heading to the Chimney Corner Hotel, and he works in a quarry too.
Although some members felt the need to starve themselves, not all did! Indeed a hearty lunch of fish and chips was enjoyed in Tesco’s or a king size baked potato for the healthy one. Then off along the highway to Invernational Airport. No hand luggage but clear plastic bags galore.
Of course no trip goes smoothly as the call on the tannoy was, “Swanson, Campbell, to security please”? Of course half the squad stood up, whether it be pullers, fiancé's, mascots, wives or girlfriends. After a lot of frisking we headed for the skies and landed in Belfast Airport right on time.
Some members of the group were worried about the Irish reputation and whether we might be the subject of any hold-ups or stand offs. Thankfully there were none, not even a back off!
No TOW trip passes without someone getting lost and this time it was the second mini-bus, thankfully after the bus driver received some directions everyone had arrived at the hotel even if it was via Antrim, Bangor and Larne.
The bellies were rumbling but the weigh inn had to come first. The W.A.G.S. (Wives and Girlfriends or is that Wifies and Girlfriends) were left to order the grub as the squad headed to the plush surroundings of the “nightclub” to jump on the scales. This was achieved after feet were scraped off the somewhat sticky carpet. With international and club teams weighed in with little or no fuss, it was back to the restaurant. It was steaks all round with some better than others. Of course a pint was required and most had the traditional lager. However cider was on the menu for some with the local Bulmer's being preferred. Pronounced by the Halkirk lads as Bull more it had its name changed to pee more by one puller by the end of the trip.
With a couple of pints and dinner seen as ample for the night before a big competition, it was bed – time for all at only 9pm. W.A.G.S and all or was it? As the saying goes “there is always one”. After some texts which can only be described as “the good, the bad and the ugly” and a look that could kill, everyone settled down for a good nights sleep.......
And then to the big day, as per above, a great day in the history of Halkirk TOW! After every good day's pulling comes a few drams!!
As we were representing God's country, so we would
wear the traditional attire of our native land. Unfortunately one
puller who was partner less thought it best to forget his belt and socks and
for good measure thought an iron would do his kilt no good. To add
insult to injury, his sporran was just about covering his nobly knees.
However all was forgotten as we arrived at the very plush Belfast City Hall.
As the free wine flowed, the lads managed to find time for some Question
Time of some of the days most successful pullers from the South of Ireland.
In a moment of excitement a fine crystal wine glass met a grizzly end on the
marble floor. Rather than take the blame himself, our front man
decided to place the blame on an elderly gentleman close by and promptly
returned to the table for another glass of red. Thankfully he was soon
brought into line by his good lady as the wine began to take effect.
After a fantastic meal, the prize giving and a
demonstration of spoon balancing it was back on the bus to the "nightclub"
at Chimney Corner. With some quality singing the bus was certainly
"smoking". Just as you thought the pulling was done for the weekend
one half of the "tag team" decided he wanted to show his pulling prowess on
the dance floor and how. Even managing to get "Simone's" number!
The occasion got all too much for the YF Club chairman who felt he required
a power nap and as he was refused a discount at the door on entry, felt if
he left early he might get a refund! Not before his good lady had
overcome the language barrier of course. In Cento you may think this
was possible, but in Ireland. Well I guess the Welsh can be hard to
understand or maybe the Irish speak too fast? But Scottish to
Scottish? That's what one too many Gin & Tonics does then!!
So before you know it, it is Sunday morning and time to think about the homeward journey. With security still tight, everyone wanted on the plane without any hassle. No-one would think of "swapping" passports or would they? No problems even if they did, straight through! What about fridge magnets, oh yes they could cause a stir. Of course they wouldn't be the only magnets on the plane though would they? The "Hand" magnets.....
As with any trip, we live and learn. The main points from Belfast is that we have now set a "benchmark", we should always take an iron, plus we should never leave home with an odd number of people for the trip!
Thanks once again goes to the W.A.G.S. and the team mascots for their support as well as the stand-in water girl for the club competition.
Thanks to the following who have supplied the pictures on this page:-
Kathleen Campbell
Michelle Murray
Liz Hewitson
