At a ploughing match in 2006 'The Elusive Cup' 204

I must point out here that this poem  The Elusive Cup was the very first one that I ever wrote, some eight years ago, all the writing of the books and blogs and all the poems on this forum pages have been written since them. 

It's all brought on, with the disappointing outcome of the Stafford ploughing match 16 September 2006,   Using the E27N and Elite trailer  plough for the first time. 

 The Elusive Cup

Off to the ploughing match with great intent

Good weather helps but the land is wet

Off down the field on the first run

Back up the second the twists begun.

Tipping in the third as though no skims

Blocking up the plough and the trouble begins

Coming up the fourth won’t bury the stubble

Land wheel slipping and we’re in trouble.

Off up the side of the neighbouring plot

Tape measure out to see what we’ve got

To start the cast it must be parallel

Or the finish, odd sized will give you hell.

Even furrows with good in’s and outs

Firm for a seed bed well turned over each bout

No hand work or gardening is ever allowed

But it happens quite often when the judge turns around

To measure the land each bout is a must

As narrow it gets down to three or bust

The penultimate run is always shallow

It’s to hold the plough firm as it turns its last furrow

Everyone’s an expert who watches your last run

But get in the seat to feel how it’s done

They block your eye line at the end of the stint

All standing astride, its all wavering and bent

Everyone says we must not blame the tools

Not everyone there, that we can call fools

Experience shows by the polished plough
Who puts it away with a tinge of rust now

Never again, and the thought that it’s rotten

When the next one comes along and you've forgotten

Try once more for that elusive red card and cup

The knees will go weak, when you’re eventually called up.

Owd Fred

You always get plenty of advice at these ploughing matches there was upwards of 40 competitors

You're all spoiled these days what with all the modern equipment, this old Fordson E27N does not even have diff lock, and with a trailer plough, you have to wind the handles like fury to shallow the plough to keep moving or trip it to lift it out and that will only lift with forwards movement. Neither of these actions help very much when your competing at a ploughing match