MORE than 2,000 people turned out to enjoy the 15th Northwich Festival of Sport over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Despite a wet start causing Rudheath Ju Jitsu Club to abandon its martial arts display, there was still plenty to enjoy at Northwich Rugby Club's main fund-raising event of the year.

Street performer Danny Zapparelli got things off to a rousing start with his spectacular 10-foot unicycle show, presented by DAN and Vale Royal Borough Council.

While the action was going on in the main arena, junior football teams from across Cheshire competed for trophies donated by Cheshire Building Society, with the five a side contests won by teams from Northwich Town, Middlewich, Sandbach and Hartford Boys.

Barnton side Lucky Sevens were also victorious as champions in the senior soccer sevens competition.

Other attractions at the event included displays by Northwich Cricket Club and Northwich RUFC juniors, as well as Winnington Park RUFC, who were defeated by a team of spectators in a tug of war contest, despite having their recent South African signings on their side.

But once again the main attraction on the day was the County Commercial Stationaery Cheshire Strongman Competition.

Five competitors battled through six events before Manchester man mountain Paul Heyes finally clinched the title for the second successive year, with former winner Andy Walter from Sandbach taking second place, and Crewe newcomer Andrew 'Popeye' Jansen in third.

A spokesman for Northwich RUFC said: "All the competitors agreed that the contest was superbly organised and apart from Andy Walter who is retiring, promised to be back next year - that is if the Festival of Sport goes ahead for a 16th year."

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