The Cumberland side won just one medal in Spain

The Cumbrian wrestlers at the European Espoirs Championships in Tenerife found the going hard with only Ross Wilkinson of Rothbury reaching a final.

Joe Harrington had the misfortune to suffer a shoulder injury in the Gouren wrestling on the first day and was unable to compete in his own style the following day.

At the younger and lighter end of the team, Craig Naylor found it hard-going throughout. Nathan Birdsall started well by felling an Icelander, but lost his next two bouts so did not reach the cross-ties.

Coach Andrew Carlile saw the trip as a steep learning curve for his young wrestlers Roger Robson

Ross Wilkinson competed in the most popular weight of all - the 90 kgs - so he did well to reach the semi-finals where he took on a good Leonese wrestler who promptly took the first fall.

Two dog-falls followed and various excursions from the mat - until Wilkinson steadied the ship and took the next two falls to reach the final where he was beaten by the Canarian wrestler Manuel Cano Gonzales.

The Cumbrian Coach, Andrew Carlile, saw the trip as a steep learning curve for our wrestlers who needed more preparation for the event.

He is looking to the future where a cohort of exceptional wrestlers are moving up through the junior ranks.

At the AGM of the International Federation, Cantabria, another region of Spain with its own traditional wrestling, was added to the list of members.

Meanwhile, back home, the CWWA held its Annual General Meeting at Penrith Rugby Club.

The meeting was remarkably short. All retiring Governing Board members were re-elected, except John Bland who did not seek re-election.

In addition, two female wrestling categories will be added to the Academy Shield next winter to reflect the position within the academies.

Also the move to have an approved referees list was explained and there was the inevitable long discussion about the traditional wrestling strip and its credit or debit value to Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.