Storm fails to stop Tug O’ War competitors

Damaging high winds the day before did little to dampen the enthusiasm of competitors in the annual Sefton Tug O’ War.

Organising committee member Cam Booker says it was great to see so many people turn out for the fun family event on Sunday at Sefton School.

"I know there were many families there who had left behind heaps of fallen trees, no power and damaged fences to come down and take part in the event."

Cam left two badly damaged greenhouses to crew one of the teams, but says he was paying for it the next day when his tired and sore back and arms reminded him of his exertions as he picked asparagus on his farm.

Team Tug Life line in their first bout at the Sefton School Tug O’ War. Photo: John Cosgrove

"We had almost 20 teams of all ages. One - MainPower - had to pull out because of the storm calling many of their crews into action to restore power in the district, but we quickly had a replacement team from within the crowd.

"It was a great community event and we were extremely lucky with the weather on Sunday.

"There were lots of people there and it was good to see everyone having fun tugging on the ropes."

Liam Schumacher pulls with all his might during one of his team’s bouts at the at the Sefton School Tug O’ War. Photo: John Cosgrove

Sefton School PTA chairman Jeanne Williams says the event is one of its main fundraising events of the year.

"All of the money raised here will be used for the redesign and redevelopment of the school’s play area."

‘‘It will take us a couple of years, but the event is important for our community here, as it brings us all together to work for a common goal.’’

Having fun at the Sefton School Tug O’ War were Briar Clyme, 10, and Margot Farrell, 8. Photo: John Cosgrove

The Rope Burn team took out the male and female categories and also won the truck pull contest.

The winners of this year’s Tug O’ War pulls:

Trophy Winner: Grown. Runnerup: JRS. Mixed Winner: Rope Burners. Runner up: Grown Up. Ladies Winner: Tinder girls (because we can pull). Runner up: Drag Queens. Truck Pull: Women’s - Rope Burners; Men’s - Rope Burners. School Teams: Year 7/8: 1st M&Ms, 2nd Ashley School, 3rd Tug of titans; Year 5/6: 1st The almighty Eshay's, 2nd Blue fire, 3rd Da Bombs.

Archie Scott, 9, and Sid Roberts, 10, of Sefton, prepare for their teams effort at the Sefton School Tug O’ War. Photo: John Cosgrove

Teachers from Sefton School entered as the Willy Wonka and the Children Factory team take their strain during their bout at the Sefton School Tug O’ War. Photo: John Cosgrove