Wright approach takes title!
The river was carrying about six inches of extra water and a fair bit of colour for this match which was won by Long Eaton Victoria team man Alan Wright.
A former National champion, Alan secured victory by a very slender margin with 7-15-0, made up of 17 skimmers and a few perch caught on short pole and stick float tactics with maggot hookbait from Peg 46 on the White House bend. The catch earned him the £500 top prize, a crystal glass trophy and a Shakespeare float rod. He also won a place in the big Shakespeare Championship final on August 28th for a shot at the £6,000 top prize.
Second, just two ounces behind the leader, was Ray South (Ferrymen) with 7-13-0 of chub on float and feeder tactics from Peg 54.
Third place went to Gary Seadon (Evesham DAA) with 6-5-8 of bream and perch from Peg 1. Fourth was former Shakespeare stalwart Tony Davis with 6-3-0 of eels from Peg 65 and fifth was Dave Harris (Barford) with 6-2-0 of chub and eels from Peg 27.
Alan Wright
