The inaugural RNLI All-island Beach Tug of War Trophy event took place on Sunday (August 8) on Chapel Beach, Port St Mary.

A total of 14 teams took part in a knockout competition to try and claim the hand carved wooden trophy last awarded in the 1980s.

The teams included representatives from four of the island’s RNLI stations, as well as groups from Castletown Ale Drinkers, the Young Farmers men and women, Argon, No. 16, Island Aggregates, the Secret Pizza Company, and Southern Nomads rugby club.

There was also a team from the event’s corporate sponsors Excel Construction and CoreFix, who provided T-shirts for all of the participants, and a team who came to be known as ’Toni’s Cronies’ - who only entered on the day and was made up of four friends visiting the island and two locals.

The final which consisted of the best of three pulls, saw the Isle of Man’s Young Farmers men’s team face off against Nomads who won the event last time it was staged.

Nomads pulled the rope across the line onto their side in a time of 40 seconds in the first pull, and then won the second pull after only 11 seconds.

The Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney presented the prizes, with the Southern Nomads receiving certificates, medals, mini kegs of Okell’s beer and the all-important trophy.

Chairman of Port St Mary RNLI fundraising branch, David Scott, said: ’Thank you to all of the teams who came and took on this challenge, as well as their friends and family who cheered them on and supported the many stalls.

’The last year has been challenging for the RNLI and we are delighted to be finally able to hold this event, and raise vital funds which enable us to keep saving lives at sea.’

The RNLI’s Just Giving page is still open for donations.