Mid-week frosts led to a clearer canal than seen during the recent excellent practices and coupled with bright sunshine led to a slow start for the 89 competitors on the Angling Trust Southern Winter League semi final held on Saturday 29th March 2014 on the Kennet and Avon canal, Marlborough.
Subsequently, the famed skimmers normally found on these prolific sections failed to materialise in any numbers and the roach were reluctant to feed until the latter stages of the match. So it became a perch match and thankfully they obliged in numbers.
Daiwa Gordon Leagues’ Dave Micklewright virtually had the match won in the first 30 minutes when he landed 7 large perch to 3lb on worm and maggot fished over chopped worm from his peg on the tree at Potters. A further 7 perch caught during the day completed his catch of 22-4-0 for a fairly simple win. Thatchers’ Nigel Evans drawn on end peg 1 at Church caught 4 large perch and a few small skimmers late on for 17-4-0 and second place, also on worm and maggot but fished over groundbait down the track. Daiwa Gordon Leagues’ Mark Gaylard took third spot also with 4 large perch and a few skimmers for 13-1-0 taken on worm over groundbait down the track from end peg 1 at Station. But this match was all about the team result and England and Kamasan Starlets Manager Mark Downes basked in the glory of his team only picking up one brown envelope for a section default win, but still leading his team to victory on the day with 66 points. Close behind were the mighty Daiwa Dorking with 63 points and the last qualifying place went to Daiwa Gordon League with 59 points.
The Angling Trust would like to thank the local organiser Nigel Franks, his team and Marlborough and District for a well organised and excellent match.
Top 5 individual results
1st Dave Micklewright Daiwa Gordon League 22-4-0
2nd Nigel Evans Preston Innovations Thatchers 17-4-0
3rd Mark Gaylard Daiwa Gordon League 13-1-0
4th Steve Tubb Arun Angling 12-14-0
5th Simon Willsmore Team Daiwa Dorking 11-11-0
5th Troy Weaver Daiwa Gordon League 11-11-0
Team results
1st Kamasan Starlets 66 points
2nd Team Daiwa Dorking 63 points
3rd Daiwa Gordon League 59 points
4th Arun Angling 48 points
5th Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths 47 points
6th Preston Innovations Thatchers 46 points
7th Sensas Oakwood 43 points
8th Maver Cardinals Black 42 points
9th Garbolino Banstead 34 points
