• September 25, 2018

Evershine Canterbury stun Birmingham and Worcester to lift all UK tug-of war contest held in Kent

By A Staff Reporter

TONBRIDGE (Kent) Sept 23: The annual prestigious and the biggest 4th All UK Malayalee tug-of war competition hosted by Sahrudya The West Kent Keralites lived up to its name and reputation again beating the inclement weather on Sunday, September 23 at the Sackville School Hildenborough Tonbridge TN11 9HN.

The tug of war contest saw a total of nine teams participating. As usual BCMC from Birmingham, Tuskers from Tunbridge Wells, Themmadis from Worcester and Seven Stars from Coventry were in the spotlight for finals.
However, underdogs Evershine Canterbury stunned BCMC in the semifinals by beating them in first two pulls in the best of three contest to reach the finals.
The semifinals was contest between Evershine Canterbury and BCMC and Worcester Themmadis against Achayans Hertfordshire.
Themmadis Worcester did not have to toil much to reach the finals as they beat Achayans Hertfordshire straight in the first two pulls. If Themmadis were thinking that Canterbury’s win against BCMC was a one off then they were wrong.
Evershine Canterbury showed they were not flash in the pan and the first pull although was evenly contested was won by Themmadis setting up the next pull.
Canterbury, with the support of a strong Kent supporters gave it all to win the second pull thus setting up a mouthwatering final.
The third pull was too evenly contested and at one point Themmadis were almost to have won it when Evershine Canterbury again with a vociferous support from Kent supporters came out with the best ever effort to pull of a stunning win which left the whole gathering stunned.
The contest which was evenly and hotly contested saw tempers flaring but the community’s and organisers resilience and patience withstood all the odds which ensured that Malayalees in the UK will never want this event to fail as thus was the aesthetic delight it offers to anyone who has been to this event.
Evershine Canterbury Team players consisted of Shine Jose, Mathew Jose , Siju Kuriakose, Joel Jolly, Reji George, Renjith Jose, Sojan Joseph, Biju Thomas, Bobby Abraham, Aby Mathew.
Evershine Canterbury was formed over the past six months alongwith each of the members’ family commitments and work. They got together as a recreational activity and decided to participate and consider as a communal activity among friends.
Evershine’s captain Shine Jose had similar experience in this sport in India and was the mastermind in the formation of this team.
The team practised at the Victoria Recreation ground in Canterbury Kent whenever time allowed. They had immense confidence in their strength and ability but had doubts if they could beat their years of experience in this sport.
With immense support from Canterbury association their dreams grew wings and gained confidence.
Talking to this website on their win at Tonbridge captain Shine said: “Taking on BCMC Birmingham on the first round gave us the full confidence that we could take our effort to next level.
That win gave us the break to exceed our moral strength to take on reigning champions Themmadis”.
“We participated in Birmingham in June this year and we came fifth. Last year this time we finished eight in Tunbridge. We kept our belief and were committed to ensuring that we all pursued our dreams.”
“Semi final was our breakthrough. Beating Birmingham in the first round gave us our confidence boost to take on any team. Birmingham BCMC was the champions in June who beat everyone and after beating them we had the confidence to tackle Themmadis”.
“Over the last few weeks as a team we had to go under diets and harsh restrictions to participate in this weight restricted competition and finally it all paid off in the end.”