Redan Wanderers Tug of War Team

The Redan Wanderers were a tug of war team,.

Background
It can be assumed from the name that the team was part of the Redan Wanderers Football Club.

History
The Wanderers took part in the first competitions, held in the Alfred Hall, Ballarat, in March 1892: "There was a very large attendance at the Alfred Hall on Saturday night when the first round of the tug-of-war arranged in aid of the local charities was pulled off. The arrangements for the tournament had been all well carried out by the committee and secretaries, and were similar to those at the recent international tug-of-war in Melbourne, The raised platform on which the teams pulled was placed at an angle across the hall, in order to give sufficient room, and a very good view was obtainable of the various events. Mr Nuzum officiated as starter, Mr T. Lawn and Captains Palmer and Whitelaw as judges, and Messrs Marks and Thompson as timekeepers."

Teams in the competition were Bungaree Hurling Club No.1 and No. 2; St Patrick’s Literary Association, Millbrook; Militia No.1 and No.2; Victorian Railway Employees; Carriers; Redan Wanderers; Chinese; Creswick Amalgamated Miners' Association. For their first pull, the Wanderers were against the Chinese team: "The Redan Wanderers were drawn against the Chinese team, and pulled them over in a couple of minutes, as the other team was desirous of some more pulling, however, the Wanderers obliged them, and the event was the cause of a great deal of amusement."

The second round was on 7 March "Considerable interest was taken in the next event, that between the Redan Wanderers and the Carriers. The Redan gained 3 inches in the first pull and then the indicator-remained stationary for 17 minutes, when it was brought even. Then the Carriers at the end of 19 minutes brought the rope along 6 inches. There was little alteration at the expiration of half-an hour, when the Carriers had 9 inches of rope to the good. Then both teams lay down for another half a dozen minutes. Redan came with a great rush, and in 10 seconds fairly dragged, the rope out of the hands of the astonished Carriers. Time, 37 min."

The third round was on 8 March, the Wanderers competed against the Militia No. 2. Tug of War matches usually last two or three minutes, with some epic battles lasting over 30 minutes: "No sooner had the pistol announced the commencement of the pull between the Redan Wanderers and the 3rd Regiment No. 2 team, than the former, commenced gaining ground, and in 23 seconds had pulled their opponents over."

On 9 March, the Wanderers winning streak was brought to an end in the competitions longest pull: "The first pull was between the Redan Wanderers and the Millbrook Literary Association. At the start there was a severe tussle, of which Millbrook got the advantage, pulling their opponents over 3 feet 3 inches in the first minute. They then rested on their laurels for 10 minutes, when Redan made a resultless effort. Millbrook responded, and in 7 seconds more had annexed another 3 inches. Further rests and Millbrook gained 3 inches more, which they followed up with another 3 inches. After further gains by Millbrook, Redan, gained 4 inch, and then 2. inches, and a similar distance from another pull. By this time fully three-quarters of an hour had elapsed, and still the teams were tugging like giants, while the spectators were asking if they were going to pull all night. By short stages the Millbrook gained, and when they had been tugging for an hour, had 5 feet to the good. Four minutes afterwards the Millbrook boys made their final effort, and amidst the wildest enthusiasm, pulled their opponents over the mark, in 1 hour 4 min. 42½ sec."

The 10 March saw the Wanderers defeated as a result of their efforts against Millbrook the night before: "The final pull was between Creswick A.M.A., and Redan Wanderers. The latter had suffered severely from their long tussle with Millbrook on the previous night, their hands having given way. Creswick got 6 inches of rope with the first pull, and after a short spell, pulled Redan all the way in 1 min. 23 sec."

On the 11 March the goodwill of the evening was spoiled when the Millbrook team refused to compete, complaining about the draw: "This was continued last night, at the Alfred Hall, and was well attended. The only contest for the prize was between the Redan Wanderers and the Militia No. 2. The former were by far the heavier team, but the latter, after a stubborn contest, lasting for 25 minutes, pulled their opponents over the mark and won."

The People
The team in 1892 Total weight, 123 st; average, 13st 9½ lb. Members were:
 * O. Cullen, Captain
 * J. Barnett,
 * D. Barnett,
 * A. Hooley,
 * D. Fitridge,
 * C. Buckley,
 * J. Lawford,
 * P. Quinn,
 * P. M'lntyre
 * J. Walsh (substitute).