ANGLING TRUST NEWS RELEASE

The England youth team for the Home National Championships, this year  held in Wales, was selected by the National Teams and Competitions group of the Marine branch of the Angling Trust. The competitors selected were: Jake Butcher (a new cap), Neil Hargreaves, Callum Richardson, Louie Smith and Robbie Taylor. Scott Hesling was selected as non-travelling reserve.

The Youth (16-21 years old) teams fished two very different venues for the two days of the Championship. The first day was at Borth – a flat, sandy beach which was fished across low water for flounders, small turbot and the occasional bass at very close range. The second day was fished on a steep pebble beach across high water. The competitors fished principally for lesser spotted dogfish and flounders, mainly at long distance.

On the first day, the team struggled to really master the conditions, scoring four 4th places – new cap Jake took a creditable 2nd for a total of 8 fishing points.

The second day was more to the team’s liking, some quickly worked-out adjustments to the end tackle saw a regular stream of fish caught. The end result showed the team had made a recovery from day one with Jake scoring 2nd in his zone, Callum taking first. Neil and Robbie claimed two more second places. Louie won a well-deserved first in his zone.

Even with this recovery from the first day position it proved impossible to overtake Wales and at the end England were just 5 points adrift, and took the silver medal, a well-deserved result.

Congratulations go to the Welsh team for their gold medals and the team is already looking forward to competing for the 2010 Trophy in Scotland next year!

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