The final match of the Rite Gear Angling Centre Monday Night League, saw another impressive turnout with 24 anglers fishing the shingle at Weybourne on a mild night with flat calm sea and slight drizzle. With league hanging in the balance it was all to fish as the top three places overall and the top female position were still to be settled.
Match organiser, Dene Conway was drawn between Kimberley Lawn and Ally Barnes and as such had a ring side seat for the final battle between the top two lady anglers. From the off everyone was into undersize dabs with the occasional sizeable fish coming out and this continued throughout the match with everyone carding several fish.
As she lacked fish bait Dene supplied Ally with some mackerel which produced a sizeable dab closely followed by a cracking one of 29cm, the battle was now on. Kimberley also was catching consistently but was getting frustrated at the number of undersize fish and towards the end of the match she was about to pack up and head home. Experienced matchman Dene advised her to fish to the bitter end as matches can be won in the dying seconds. Without re-baiting Kimberley recast for the final minutes, this proved a wise choice as when the final whistle blew she retrieved a sizeable dab. This not only helped her beat Dene but her six fish weighing 2lb 2/3oz pipped Ally whose three fish totalled 1lb 1 1/3oz. , once the numbers have been crunched we will know who has taken the league title between these two.
Along the rest of the match stretch, plenty of fish were coming out and the banter was flying with much of it aimed at Jake Cooper who was battling to retain the league lead and put in another consistent performance. Well done to him for taking it on the chin but sadly tonight was not his night as the results were to show.
Ian Gennery is probably the most improved angler over the last month and his form continue as he finished in top spot with ten fish for a total of 3lb 10 2/3oz. Ian also spent the match assisting another member with bait presentation, well done Ian. Second place went to the most consistent angler in the league so far, Mike Gill who had nine fish for 3lb 3oz and third place on the night went to Bob O. or wobbly Bob as he’s better known with seven fish weighing in at 2lb 6 1/3oz, well done to all three. 100 sizeable fish were caught and returned with probably three times this number of undersize fish in addtiton.
With the league now over, its been a real pleasure for Dene to watch anglers grow in confidence and enthusiasm, and observe open willingness of everyone to help others, not only with baiting techniques, but casting and tactics and general help with carrying gear.
The league has had 50 anglers fishing overall this year the lowest turnout for a leg was about 17 and the highest of around 30. The new friendships that have grown out of this has demonstrated that is the way a league or club should be run and with that in mind the presentation night on the 23rd of December at the Village Inn in West Runton will also be a meeting to form the Norfolk Angling Club. Everyone is welcome to attend and have an input, so if you have ever fancied joining a club now is the time to come along and meet others. The aim of the new club will be to teach, compete and socialise in a friendly atmosphere where everyone can learn without the fear of feeling inferior or intimidated. The organisers hope to see couples, juniors and anglers of any skill level coming along and enjoying our sport together.
Congratulations to everyone who took part and made the league so enjoyable and it is hoped that together the members can make the new club a great success.
1 Ian Gennery (30pt)
2 Mike Gill (29pts)
3 Bob O. (28pts)
4 Peter Hansell (27pts)
5 Henry Randell (26pts)
6 Iain Molloy (25pts)
7 Kimberley Lawn (24pts)
8 Billy Temple (23pts)
9 Trevor Barnes (22pts)
10 Mark Batson (21pts)
11 Richard Chapman (20pts)
12 Dean Gibson (19pts)
12 Jake Cooper (19pts)
14 Ally Barnes (17pts)
15 Phil Avard (16pts)
16 David Lake (15pts)
17 Graham Beetson (14pts)
18 Brain Van Blerk (13pts)
19 Mandy Blomfield (12pts)
20 Paul Rickard (11pts)
20 Charlie Needham ( 11pts)
All others receive 5 pts
Full league standings will be announced at the presentation night please make sure you bring a raffle prize. Food will be available and of course the Christmas spirits and beer.
