Front Row from left: Sam Rountree, John Macauley, Paddy Donnelly, John Kennedy, Alan McWilliams and Jimmy Morton

Back Row from left: Alan Walker, Willie Rountree, John Shannon, Matthew Foster, Davy Donaldson, Sam Rountree and Colin Reid

Find below the final between Northern Ireland and England in the 2010 560kg final in HD and as one video:

Northern Ireland vs England 560kg World Championship Final

Having finally got back into the website after a year of being unable to update it, this is a bit overdue.

During the 2011 indoor season Richhill Tug of War Club won 3 of the Northern Ireland Championships, missing out on the 64kg weight category.

As we won the 560kg Championship we have once more chosen to represent Northern Ireland at this weight and will be doing so in Perth, Scotland in February 2012.

Below is the videos from the 600kg Championship final and the 560kg Championship final.

600kg Northern Ireland Tug of War Championship Final

560kg Northern Ireland Tug of War Championship Final 2011

Richhill failed to win in the 640kg NI Championships. In this instance an out of sorts Richhill team finished in 3rd, the same position they were in after the round robin stage. In the semi-finals they met Country Club who they were beating by in 2 ends. In the 3rd place pull off the pull of the night happened as Finvoy pressurised Richhill, losing out narrowly on the first end, in the second it took 3 attempts for Richhill to win with 2 no pulls. In the final Ballyheegan won their second gold of the year with a comfortable straight ends victory over Country Club.

Richhill were defeated by Ballyhegan in the final of the 680kg Northern Ireland Championships. In the group stages Ballyhegan defeated Finvoy, Country Club and Richhill to top the group. Richhill defeated Finvoy and then Country Club to secure 2nd place in the group. In the semi finals Richhill faced Country Club and again in a close contest beat them 2 straight. Ballyhegan beat Finvoy in the other semi final to set up an all Co. Armagh final. Richhill, the defending 680kg champions were missing alot of senior pullers as they have taken a year out after winning back to back World Championships which has allowed the youth of Richhill to gain experience as well as a few pullers on the fringes. Ballyhegan won the final 2 straight against a spirited performance by the Richhill team.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E1VaNFq3Ds]

At the recent Armagh Sports Forum Awards Richhill coach Sam Rountree won Coach of the Year after guiding Richhill to their second World Championship crown, a clean sweep in the Northern Ireland Championships and also to the Nigel Memorial Trophy in his first year in charge of the team. Richhill missed out on team of the year to Loughgall.

The club recently had their AGM. With this came a few changes in the structure of the club. Remaining as Chairman is Sam Rountree whilst also keeping his position as Head Coach. Alan Walker will remain as his assistant. Neil Stratton has replaced Aidan Brennan as Secretary of the club. John Shannon and Davy Donaldson will be the team selectors for the coming year and Jonny Compston will be used as back up to this position.

On Friday 9th April the Mayor of Armagh Thomas O’Hanlon invited the members of Richhill Tug of War Club to a reception in the Palace Grounds. A good night was had by all with speeches taking place. A presentation was made to coach Sam Rountree of one of the final pieces of Tyrone Crystal that was made before it closed.

Members of Richhill Tug of War Club enjoyed a night of hospitality laid on by the NI TOWA recently in Armagh City Hotel. The night was to congratulate the Northern Ireland squads who went to the 2010 World Championships in which Richhill successfully defended their crown and Country Club also retained their bronze from 2 years previous.

 Back Row: Matthew Foster, David Donaldson, John Shannon, Colin Reid, Aidan Brennan, Jonny Compston, Willie Rountree and Alistair Wilson.

Front Row: Leslie Knipe, Alan McWilliams, Alan Walker, Sam Rountree and Jimmy Morton.

Richhill Tug of War Club has joined facebook. The group can be found at:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=345867776189&ref=nf