England Win Home Nations Shore Grand Slam in Scotland
The England Men’s shore team won gold at the SALC Home Nations Shore Championships held at Peterhead in Scotland from July 1st–4th, 2010.
The team travelled to Scotland for their fourth successive victory to achieve a “Grand Slam” of wins, a fantastic achievement in its own right, but even better under one manager. The team consisted of; Rob Marshall, Dave Lane, Paul Molyneux, Ian Bellfield, Tony O’Grady, John Brown, George Smith (Reserve) and Manager – Norman Berry.
The fishing matches were 5 hours long, with mostly flat fish (flounder and turbot) being caught on supplied red ragworm, frozen mackerel and frozen black lugworm. The teams were very lucky to have a window in the weather and although it was windy on both days, the rain held off and the sun shone on the anglers.
On day one England Men’s Shore team had three zone wins and two zone seconds, giving them 18 out of a possible 20 points, Scotland were a close second on 15 points with two zone wins, a second and two thirds. Day two saw Ireland and Wales come back strongly with two zone wins each to England’s one, and Scotland failed to capitalise on their strong day one result. England were the winners by one point on the second day, and by seven points over the two days, a great result.
Angling Trust and the England Men’s Shore team would like to offer thanks and appreciation to Paul Molyneux and John Brown for their help and support and to George Smith, the reserve for his fantastic running of the beach and collecting results, he and the team were faultless. Also for the high quality bait which was provided by David Neil, and for support and donations from Claire Dagnall, Leeda and to Julian Shambrook of AFAW.
Norman Berry, Manager said “over the four years I’ve managed the team I have been blessed with a string of top achievers and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart, as no manager could ask for more than a team that gives it all for the cause”.
On Day 1 all the teams fished on Scotstown beach, two miles north of Peterhead, where almost everyone caught fish. At the conclusion of day one, the Irish junior team had 4 zone wins and England Juniors were lying 2nd.The England youth team and Senior Team were both lying in 1st place.
On Day 2 the senior team fished on Rattray beach alone, this was the designated beach for all the teams, but a long walk over the dunes and an on-shore wind made the organisers and the managers change venues and the Junior and Youth teams went to Fraserburgh beach so that the wind was behind them. This proved a good decision as they went on to catch more than 400 fish. The Scottish junior team won the day, with England coming 2nd again, and the youth team came in 3rd.
Speed fishing was the essence, with competitors using multiple rigs with multiple hooks, quiver-tip rods up to 5 metres long and fast retrieve fixed-spool reels, some anglers using ultrafine superbraids for supersensitivity and clear fluorocarbon hook links to chemically sharpened fine-wire Aberdeen pattern hooks in the extremely bright clear conditions.
The Junior team consisted of; Bryony Langley, Rebecca Hurcombe, Jack Hayes, Oliver Hopkins, David Morris and Manager – Jo Hyde
The Youth team consisted of; Robbie Taylor, Oliver Hopkins, Jamie Morgan, Jake Butcher, Callum Richardson, Patrick Jones (Reserve) and Manager – Phil Hyde
The results were as follows :
Junior Team results were: -
1st Ireland 30pts, 2nd England 26pts, 3rd Scotland 24pts, 4th Wales 20pts
Youth Team results were: -
1st Ireland 28pts, 2nd Scotland 27pts, 3rd England 23pts, 4th Wales 21pts
Senior Team results were: -
1st England 33pts, 2nd Wales 26pts, 3rd Scotland 22pts, 4th Ireland 19pts
A big thank you must go to the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers for a well organised competition.
