The flagship industry team event in aid the Angling Trust saw 16 of the country’s top teams out in force at Mallory Park Fisheries in Leicestershire fishing under blustery conditions.
One-and-a-half inches of cold rain earlier in the week did not help the venue and it turned out to be a difficult match for many of the 96 competitors.
Glebe Pool 1 was the place to draw with 11 of the 16 competitors that made up this section all catching over 100lbs.
It was a fierce battle with several anglers in contention for individual honours as the match progressed.
At the weigh-in, Steve Ringer fishing for Guru/Shimano Black, came out on top with 184lbs, second was Shakespeare’s Neil McKinnon with 172lbs and third Jarrod Smith from Team Marukyu weighing in 165lbs.
Result:1st Steve Ringer 184lbs Guru/Shimano
2nd Neil McKinnon 172lbs Shakespeare
3rd Jarrod Smith 165lbs Team Marukyu
Section winners:
Section 1 Steve Ringer 184lbs Guru/Shimano
Section 2/3 John Hall 132lbs Team Marukyu
Section 4/5 L. Sears 77lbs Team Daiwa
Section 6/7 Garry Saddler 119lbs Team Marukyu
Section Big Lake Tim Bull 71lbs Guru/Shimano
Section Foundation Lake Phil Ringer 83lbs Guru/Shimano
The Team event was won by possibly the strongest commercial match team that could have been put together by Guru/Shimano. With a good draw it was on the cards that this team could not be beaten. Making no mistakes, the team did a great job to finish first with 21 points. In second place was Team Marukyu from an average draw followed by Guru/Shimano with 39 points.
The triumphant Guru/Shimano Black team members, captained by Alex Bones, were Phil & Steve Ringer, Mick & Tim Bull and Roly McEneaney.
Mallory Park Fisheries again sponsored the event and Roy Marlow said,
“This event is supported by our industry and its angling representatives who are all key ambassadors and fly the flag for everyone that goes fishing. They are a true credit to our sport.”
Representing the Angling Trust and presenting the prizes was Membership Manager Will Smith who thanked all present for their support and said “As members of the Angling Trust, everyone in this room should be proud that they have invested in the future of the sport you all love, participate in and in some cases make a living from. All other anglers should follow by your example. There really is no excuse for not joining and, when you consider the threats to angling – pollution, predation and poaching to name just three – the cost of Angling Trust membership, just 39p a week, is a small price to pay to belong to the only organisation which is making a real difference on these and all the other big issues.” Will urged all those present to assist the Trust by encouraging their fishing friends, trade contacts and fellow club members to sign up as individual members by calling 0844 77 00 616.
The anglers raised several hundred pounds and Linda Marks presented an additional cheque of £500 to the legal branch of the Angling Trust, Fish Legal (formerly the ACA). This generous donation is part of the money collected at the Ivan Marks Memorial event held earlier in the year. Ivan was a big supporter of the ACA and all that it accomplished and their work continues through the ongoing achievements made by Fish Legal in bringing to justice those who threaten and pollute our waterways and fisheries.
