Angling Times Bait Tech butt clencher!

Early start today whizz down the A303 and turn off through Sherbourne, to Revels lakes near Dorchester.  Pleased but also disappointed to see everyone turn up, I was secretly hoping I could get in as a reserve - I was regretting not picking myself I really wanted to fish.  Bacon and Sausage butties all around, as we watch Haines Anglers arrive.  Some disconcerting murmuring around as we notice a few open match scene superstars make up their numbers.

After a very brief team talk from me, hardly inspiring - the team step forth to show the superstars the Army has got what it takes.

The Dream Team

I blow the hooter to start the match at 10.30.  The sun is shining but a cold wind is blowing from the east.  Our Hosts Sturminster look a solid outfit and after the first hour its neck and neck on the main lake and the same on the other two lakes.  Graham and myself decide to break out the kit and have a little match of our own on the middle lake.  A pound is the prize most fish in 1 hour.  Hour up I take his quid 7 fish to 2.  Leave Graham fishing whilst I start another stint of bank running.  After gathering info it seems Carl and Dave are having mixed fortunes on Treddles lake. Dave loses a fish at the net just as I get there, then drops another decent one.  I decide to leave him, fearing I had brought bad luck with me.  I tootle round to Carl and after exchanging a little info on what bait seems to be working I leave Carl changing to White Corn.  Back down to main Lake and Ivan first his section is really tight, its all silvers and very little in it. Mike Poolmans ahead in his , as is Daz, and Dave. Snr Mayo an Craig are struggling on a slowish start. Below "Doc's" willing the float to dip.

 

Below Pez gritting his teeth through the banter and abuse thrown at him, but held his head high and did well for the opposition!!! Think Army first next year mate

Graham and I had another one hour special and he took his quid back winning 7 to 4. Below Graham the "vintage special reserve".

 Below Top man Carl the steely determination and the slim shady "shades" top weight on the day for the Army side.

 The "Critch" Dave's rubbing his hands at end peg delight.

Ivan the silverfish kid, so unlucky just one more fish!!!!

Snr Mayo netting his biggest silver on the day, tough day for the Commercial venue expert.

Mike Poolman -  tense times and tight elastic for one of our top hopes, he successfully landed this Carp.  The match remained tense throughout , but with an hour to it started to take shape.  Treddles Lake Carl was blasting it with the Haines guy in the other section getting one a chuck.  The two sections on this lake looked like HAINES in first in one section Army 1st in the other.  Haines second behind Carl with "Docs" struggling with gudgeon in third. Desperation Lake saw Dave Critcher, winning his and Mayo 3rd.  So it looked like main lake would decide it. Ivan was second (Chris Haines just had a Carp), Dazzler (down the edge-below) was winning his.

 

 

Mikes was harder to call but we thought a good second and Craig was confident he had dragged back and was in front.  So we were up, 2 out of four, and second in the other two.  If we could hold out, we could win this!

 

The hooter is blown for the all out.  God this butt clenching tight, you couldn't get a fag paper between some of the anglers.  Sturminster (home team) look resigned and are commenting the Army has it.  Haines Angling think its all over and Sturminster have it.  I follow the scales and god it is bloody tight.  With all the weights in, desolation for me as we are third!! SURELY NOT, IT CANT BE; but it is.  Which ever way you cut it the scales don't lie, and it its close but no cigar.  Bitter disappointment for me personally, time to sack the Captain me thinks - oh , no need we are out. 

 

 There were several sections where one fish could have changed it all.  In fact it could have easily been tied on points, then on count back or weight.  In fact look at Ivan, one more fish and he would have swapped with Chris Haines, and we would have tied. 

 

If we had tied and it was on count back Sturminster would have took it by virtue of more seconds. If it was on total weight we would have won by a clear 10 lb+ more than our opponents.

 

Well done lads valiant effort, made them sweat. Weights below.

 

	Weight	Pos	Sturminster	Pos	Haines Angling	Pos
Mike Poolman	20.12oz	3	40.08oz	1	23.12oz	2
Ivan Oakey	21.00	3	23.12oz	1	21.08oz	2
Dave Critcher	25.00	1	1 lb	2	14oz	3
Craig Micalef	22.14oz	2	10.03oz	3	26.12oz	1
Hayden Mayers	3.08oz	3	5 lb	2	13 lb	1
Daryl Mayers	35.06oz	1	13.04oz	2	11.06oz	3
Carl Amman	46 lb	1	1 lb Dave Burford	3	19 lb	2
Dave Docherty	9 lb	3	43 lb Chris Perry	2	56 lb	1
Total Points		17		16		15

Haines go through best of luck to them for the future rounds.