The 2^nd match on our calendar started off as relatively quiet affair, as we all were signing the remembrance card for John Lester who recently passed away

23 anglers were in attendance which for a match in April is a cracking number and long may it continue with only Gaz “The Spod” off skipping and holding hands.

Expensive Breakfast and the coffee and tea was too small, but my the sausages were very very good and a few commented

The other 2 x Muppets from Team HOPWAS arrived late as per usual having took it easier the night before retiring early to bed at 4.30am in readiness for the 6.30am alarm call for the days fishing.

One person just about looked half normal “The Don” but my doubles partner “Forest” his usual ¾ part cut resembling “OLLY REED” after sniffing the fumes off the beer towels again.

Forrest in the pub the night before

However he may have been lovesick? as it’s the first time in several months he hasn’t been holding hands with his new bird for longer than an hour!

Taff Tony was there EARLY NOWT NEW THERE then 😉 Rumour was he got there Sunday 3^rd and was surprised no-one else from Adroit AC was there!

A sharp severe frost put any chance of good weights down and the previous 2 x days match results from the “Open” standard of anglers proved pretty accurate as to what we could expect in such conditions.

Most people were hoping for an early draw in pegs 14-22 as there had at least been a few carp showing in this area, with the advantage of a shorter walk being the major benefit hehehehe

A lot of very good “Open” and even “International” standard anglers had struggled in previous days so when anglers of the calibre of Darren Cox

has just 6lb of fish and our pegging in places was tighter people have to take it into context and remember it’s a big big water with differing fish stock in pegs.

As it was such a long trek I had decided it was only fair to offer a 10.30am start instead of 10am and as per normal “Rumbold” was moaning some gibberish or foreign language that may or may not have been something about Yorky Puds on a boat don’t taste the same just half an hour late…..

Anyway I just smiled at him thought of community spirit and how its nice people are released into society occasionally, plus they can even learn a language etc.

The match positions were as follows:-

1^st place was Ben “Shiny Pole” Taylor who made it 2 x Adroit AC match wins on the bounce shading it with 17- 08 with a good net of skimmers and a small carp.

Ben has come on in leaps and bounds last year or so and it is certainly no fluke that in the early stages he’s running away with the overall Trophy and a perfect 2pts score.

I’m going to be getting some drawing arm tips from him, as rumour has it his drawing arm’s better than “Walt Disney’s 🙂

Ben has a new MAP 801 pole now so can really give it a go for this years title to recoup his pole cost outlay and I’m sure this will be his best season. £50 start Nice!

2nd place was “Catmeat” Causer on peg 52 who fished method and white chocolate boilie early doors for a few F1s and then late on a few bream for 17Lb dead, however he lost a few Bream closer in at the death – yikes..

It was a “death row” trek for Catmeat back to the early pegs as he had seen everyone off! and MUST have thought here comes the Trophy as in last few years he’s had a number of close 2^nd places.  I’m sure another win is only just around the corner 😉

Special thanks go to Poncey Paul who gave Catmeat Causer’s Barrow a push all the way round to peg 52 which is a good old trek.

3^rd place was none other than “Rumbold”  AKA Mick on Peg 18 who fished pole and winkled out 13lb dead of Skimbobs for another frame weight after our last match. (2 from2)

4^th Place was myself on Peg 42 with 12lbs 7ozs just edging out 4 other weights with 12lbs+ I had 4-5 skimmers on the tip and cage feeder at 30 yards + 1 Skimbob on pole 1^st section was won by “Lurpak” Neil Peg 19 and that’s second time he’s been in money recently with 12lb 6ozs

2^nd section was Gavin Young who drew shallowest peg on the pegs we fished Peg 34 to left of island and had a few skimmers for 12.45Lbs

My match I had Mick “No Barrow” on my left hand peg with “Hamper” John on my right hand side and basically I don’t know how they have time to fish? as they are both always loose feeding cobs just under their nose line from what I could see and discussing the latest relishes, bread and apple slices………

I had a bit of banter with Mick and managed to sneak a few in without him seeing me (his are bigger fish) but for once I did feel I fished a “half tidy” match, I did bump a small skimmer but that was my only failure and I connected and landed a high percentage bite ratio on the day. (I could have got 3rd maybe, but not top 2)

Doubles wise I haven’t got the full results sheet of pairings but this will be on the report Tony does in a few weeks time to clarify who’s still in pairs.

This brings me nicely onto the Team Hopwas V “Chimp” and TBF battle

After a right royal battering on the day they were last seen ignoring the social and pub aspect, and speeding off in their newly adapted silent electric car up the A50 back to the comforts of a dribble tray and long sleeves that do up round the back – THE SIGNS ARE LOOKING OMINOUS…………….

Last reminder Thursday 14th 4pm at Sandwell Crematorium (details forwarded) is John Lesters funeral and good luck to those that are attending from the club.

Apologies I cannot be there I am all over this week but thoughts are with you….

RIP JOHN

TBF