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Titles at double! (6 maart 2008) RICHHILL tug-of-war teams have just captured two World Championship titles in Italy. Apart from collecting the World Open Club 560kg Championships, they proceeded to lift the World Championships of Nations trophy, while representing Northern Ireland, just two days later. No wonder the Richhill club and the entire provincial contingent were euphoric after weeks and months of committed training leading up to the event. The indoor season overall had already gone well, with victories at all domestic weight classes. But such was the emphasis to compete well at world level, Richhill declined the invitation to take part in the UK Championships in Scotland - opting instead to carry on with their preparations at home. The Northern Ireland party arrived in Faenza, Italy, last Wednesday morning and soon competed in the 560kilo club event. Richhill made a good start against an Italian team and followed up with victories over sides from Netherlands, Switzerland, the Basque Country and the Republic of Ireland. In the semi-final they met and defeated Carndonough and went through to meant Mountain View, also from Eire. The latter were very strong and full of confidence following their victory over Abadino from Spain. However, the Armagh men were not to be denied and swept to a hard fought but clear-cut victory. When the competition draw was made it pitted Northern Ireland against England in the first match - a repeat of the last World Championship final. Next came Scotland, a tough team and among the favourites. But they went the same way as England. France were defeated rather more easily and, although the Netherlands offered stiff resistance, they could not match the Armagh men. Japan, Italy then fell, as did the Republic of Ireland, who had been expected to be very serious opposition. China and Switzerland were defeated to leave Northern Ireland on top of the table after the round-robin series of pulls. The top four teams went through to the semi-finals, where Northern Ireland repeated their earlier victory over the Republic, while Scotland defeated the Netherlands. the atmosphere was fever pitch as the two finalists prepared for the match which would define their season and, in many cases, their sporting lives. The first end was tough as one would expect but Northern Ireland were always in control and edged to victory. The second end commenced with Northern Ireland on the attack, using their power to inch slowly backwards. With about a meter to go Scotland launched a counter-attack and nerves were fraying badly for a time. But the Richhill lads gathered themselves again for a final push, which carried them over the line.

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