Army Pulls Their Weight At The Inter Services Tug of War Championships
The Army has dominated the 2018 Inter-Services Tug of War Championships at Aldershot, winning all the titles.
It is thought Tug of War could be the oldest of the Inter-Services Sports competitions, with the RAF competing against the Army and Navy 100 years ago in 1918.
The Navy has competed in tug of war events ever since they went to sea.
The First Army competitions are thought to have started at the Royal tournament back in 1896.
The RAF have recreated a picture they’ve found of their first Tug of War Team 100 years ago, making Tug of War arguably the oldest three-way inter-services championship.
The Inter-services championships were divided this year into four competitions, starting with the maximum 640-kilo men’s match.
The Navy was depleted this year and could only field one team, with two each from the Army and RAF.
The women’s match was a two-way challenge between a very strong Army team, who out pull a determined RAF side.
The 4x4 maximum 600 Kilos is made up of mixed teams.
Army A came out on top but they were pushed all the way by their rivals in red and light blue.
RAF PTI Khym Pascoe is based at Headley Court and soon to move to Stanford Hall.
She says because its non-contact Tug of War is a great sport to aid those coming back from injury and it also means the men and women can compete together.
The Army B team took the honours in the 640 and 680 kilos competitions, seeing off a strong challenge from the Army A side and especially the RAF A team who finished second.
The day's dry dusty conditions are not easy with the ground at Aldershot more reminiscent of Cyprus or the middle east than a field in Hampshire.
However, all the competitors dug in to pull the very best they can and ensure the 2018 Forces championships are the amongst most competitive in years.
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