Girls pull together to grab Euro gold
Now they’ve set their sights on the worlds
This happy bunch have real pulling power – and they have the gold medals to prove it.
The Ayrshire girls’ team were crowned European tug of war champions in the final at Southport.
Now they have their sights set on becoming world champions in South Africa next year.
It was the first time ever that a Scottish ladies team had reached an outdoor final at the Euros.
The team, who all hail from the farming community, started out with the Ayrshire Young Farmers.
From left to right, they are: Colin Montgomery ( coach), Elaine Montgomerie, Sheona Reid, Karen Gemmell, Becky Drummond, Louise Allan, Emma Bone, Lauren Kennedy, Lorna Bennett, Emer Macken ( tacky girl).
Their gold medals came in the open competition in the 520 kilos class when they competed as Ayrshire against teams from China, Sweden, Switzerland, Holland, England, Scotland and Wales.
They followed that two days later with silvers behind Sweden when they competed in the closed competition as Scotland.
The secret of success was revealed by Louise Allan, 24, a vet nurse from Kirkmichael.
She said: “A lot of people assumed that we are all big, heavy girls but we’re not.
“It’s all about good fitness and having a positive attitude. Mind over matter is also important – if you mind is not on it then things go wrong.
“Last year, we won bronze in the world championships in. Now we would like to better that.”
The team have had a great year. In July, they won double silver at the UK Championships in Paisley.
The girls train twice a week at High Kilbride Farm at Stewarton, also work out in the gym and practise good diet.
Thanks go to sponsors Sonsers, Bonanza, J& S Montgomery, Henry Bennett, Craig Wilson Ltd, The Canny Man, Ayrshire Plant Hire and AJ Craig.
Coaches Tom Nelson, Robin Shanks and Colin Montgomery have also been praised.