24th July - Orcheton Farm

Result
1st Ian Simpson 41.6lb (15)
2nd Dougie Walsh 39.8lb (8 the aerator))
3rd Paul Robinson 35.9lb (19)
Sec A Jeff Grantham 30.4lb (3 won the match in the week!)
Sec B Ian Lloyd 27.2lb (11)
Sec C Ian Brocklehurst 29.3lb (16)

Well I had to take back all the moans I had planned to feed when I saw my peg in the "bay they told us not to peg"! Rick, our "top ring" coach clearly knows his watercraft when pegging out (can't put it into practice but knows it!). The same bay was worth 10 carp and some roach alternating 13m pole and tight inside for 41.6lb and the win for your truly. It was just one fish ahead of Dougie Walsh with 39.8lb who is on a roll at present. He snared a few lumps early on before sorting the barbel out later as he was told to in proactice in the week. Paul Robinson, thought he had done enough with a late run but again ended just one decent fish short with 35.9lb, mainly carp shallow.

Sections went to the Jeff Gratham alternating in, out, up and down for 4 carp and silvers for 30.4lb. Ian Lloyd took 27.2lb with a good few barbel and Ian Brocklehurst had 14 carp and barbel and a few silvers but the average size was a little smaller than most but worrth 29.3lb for the section.

Top moment in the match went to "Mr Watercraft Keeley"....whilst looking around when fishing on the rod, he missed a bite as a 4lb carp took the rod off the rest and bobbed several times as it moved towards the middle of the lake........how did we know it was a 4lb carp.........Rick quick as a flash cast his bomb rod out, left his peg and walked 3 yards right and shouts "got it"! Rick being the "Top Ringer" he is has snared the other rod and line and after a short fight with the other rod reel and carp still attached he unhooked his bomb rig from the "TOP RING" of the other rod, picked it up at the right end!!!, the fatter one with the reel!!!! and played the 4lb carp to submission at the net!!!

Despite calls to disqualify him from round the lake (you lousy gits) for fishing 2 rods the fish counted......match secretary's decision no doubt........who's he you may ask........our very own "top ring coach" himself Mr Rick "Watercraft" Keeley no less!!

All told a decent frame but overall it fished quite tough in places with fish never really settling for anyone, seemed you needed to just be on the right method at the right time when they drifted into your peg and try to snare a few.