Sunday 04/12/08 - Veals Teams of Four Winter League Final Round 8 - Viaduct Fishery

Well today the weather conditions put the “Winter League” firmly in the match title, with the match resulting in a real lottery, with many good anglers failing to weigh. With ten days now of heavy overnight frosts, followed by cold easterly winds, the venue was completely frozen. There was a lot of pre-match talk, as to whether, the match should be fished. On hindsight, I think it was the right decision – it’s all about fishing, isn’t it?

Charlie deserted his Angels today (AWOL). Our super-sub Paul Lock was called in, with Rich Coles promoted to Captain. Charlie has pulled some excellent pegs for us all for seven matches now – I knew it was a time for change – for the worse! Rich Coles pulled peg 2 on Spring for himself – can you believe it - I was one away from drawing it again, as it happens I wouldn’t have said no to this peg on the day. I was drawn peg 128 on Campbell, which is the top side of the spit. When I got to the peg out came the ice breaker (upgraded to a 4lb Lump hammer). First chuck it bounced off the ice much to Steve Seagar’s amusement. Thank Goodness that Steve Long and Paul Greenwood came along with the SS Manic. I captured a short video (top left - you can see the Railway Viaduct over the river Carey in the back ground - from which the venue takes it's name) of Steve in full ice breaking mode (unlike it's Sister Ship, the Manic is unsinkable). Apparently it’s for sale for £6. I think it will be much more effective with a 250 HP outboard motor on it (similar to the ones in Thailand – with the long props). Thanks Steve and Paul – great job by the fishery Management.

Well, I knew the score – single red maggot fished over kinder potted dry ground bait with four pinkies in the mix. However, I didn’t have my first bite until the twenty minutes left mark – in the remaining twenty minutes I had ten small Ronnies for 8oz, which gave me 7.5 points. This gave me an individual grand total of 94.5 points.

I was leading the individual league with 2 points ahead of Chris Davis, and needing 5 points to be sure of finishing no lower than second (as it happened the few that could catch us all blanked). Chris Davis was one of only four anglers to weigh in on Carey, finishing third with 12oz. So Chris took the individual title with 98 points - 3.5 points ahead. Well done Chris.

Well, with only Rich Coles and myself weighing in the Angels could only manage 14.5 points on the day, which dropped us from third spot (in the team money) to 6th overall (Last but one on the day then!!)

The match was won by Steve Kedge (pictured right - I love this photo - Ian Spriggs look-a-like - but some say Harry Potter) on peg 110 (current Carp form peg). Steve caught 27lb of Carp on the straight lead out to the aerator. The only other Carp weight was Phil Cooper with 3lb 4oz from opposite peg 130.

The top Silvers was Steve Mayo from peg 18 on Spring Lake with 8lb 3oz of Skimmers.


I must say Veals Tackle put up excellent prizes (Tim Pallant of Veals pictured right putting out the prizes). I came away with £350 worth of tackle (Diawa rod and reel). Chris Davis chose a £400 Preston Space Station (for wicker basket cases this is a tackle box). It was sad news that Veals are pulling out of the sponsorship next year - I hope that Jerry and Jeff have a re-think, as they will be sadly missed.

Full Result on the Day:

Carp:

1. Steve Kedge 27-0-0 peg 110
2. Phil Cooper 3-04-0 peg 130

Silvers:

1. Steve Mayo 8-03-0 peg 18
2. Ray Hayward 7-06-0 peg 47
3. Clint Wojtyla 6.05.0 peg 42
4. Brian Shanks 4-05-0 peg 123

Top 15 Individuals Overall:

1. Chris Davis 98
2. Mike Nicholls 94.5
3. Adam Palmer 84
4. Mark Broomsgrove 83.5
5. Tony Rixon 80
6. Ryan Shipp 77
7. Vince Brown 77
8. Jon Gray 75.5
9. Eric Fouracre 75
10. Clayton Hudson 73
11. Tim Pallant 71.5
12. Dave Downton 71.5
13. Martin Pettifer 71.5
14. Rod Wootton 70
15. Steve Kedge 69.5

Teams Overall:

1. Westerleigh 96.5
2. Sedges Mosella 80.5
3. Somerset Angling 81
4. Avon Angling 80
5. Maver Veals Blue 75
6. Charlies Angels 69.5
7. Sarfix South West 68.5
8. Dynamite Baits 68
9. Team Veals 64
10. Sensas Thyers 58
11. Norfolking Good 57.5
12. Maver Veals Red 56.5
13. Sartan Club AC 50.5
14. Landsend A 34.5
15. Landsend B 34