Malmesbury young farmers regained the Spillers shield, with 7,943.5 points, from Purton & Cricklade by 162.5 points at the county rally staged at Kington Down Farm, Chippenham.

Their victory – which was less than two points per competition – came as Chippenham, Devizes, Calne, Melksham and Salisbury YFCs all notched up more than 6,000 points each.

Malmesbury YFC celebrated by dunking its chairman James Hutchinson in the nearest cattle trough.

County organiser Helen Darvill said: “Well done Malmesbury and all competitors at the rally and many thanks to the Akerman Family for kindly hosting us.

“The weather was very kind, with only a couple of short, sharp downpours. We had an excellent attendance with over 320 competing members in the 70 competitions which took place on the day, and plenty of enthusiastic supporters. Thank you to everyone who helped, attended and supported the day.”

Malmesbury juniors won the overall junior competitions cup, the women won the ladies’ tug of war trophy; Malmesbury also won the cookery and go kart event.

Purton & Cricklade YFC won 14 trophies, including disco dancing, efficiency with safety and overall stockjudging. Melksham won six including the debating, tractor reversing and overall flower arranging cup. Calne had three for junior tractor reversing, sheep judging and junior beef. Chippenham got four trophies for stock judging and clay shooting and Devizes two for the men’s tug of war and junior fly casting.