First Club day event of the 2023/2024 Season and following tradition it was held on the club’s own Horseshoe Lake at Sibson. Sixteen Anglers arrived in muggy conditions following a day of heavy rainfall. But the temperature eventually found its way up to 21 degrees.
This first match of the calendar sees the start of the Individual Knockout Cup with Anglers drawn against an opponent. The winner goes on to compete in the next round. Last year’s Winner Phil Price would be looking to get his name on the trophy for a second time.
This would also be round 1 of 3 for the Wade Cup. Fished over 3 rounds, the angler with the highest combined weight from Horseshoe lake in all 3 matches. The Wade Cup takes its name from Ronald Wade, who was the club solicitor, involved in the accumulation of shares for the Several Fisheries on the River Welland through the Deepings. Ray Torrington was the 2022-23 winner by just 12lb over the 3 matches.
In 2022 this match produced 582lb from 18 Anglers, this year the 16 Anglers achieved 599lb.
Finishing in first place, Antony Johnson contributed heavily to this total, beating his own Lake record he finished with 159lb 14oz from peg number 15. Antony fished the Hybrid feeder with micros and a 6mm Wafter tight to the far bank. Showing the importance of accurate casting and clipping up to keep hitting the right spot.
Second place to Stuart Baxter, fishing the same peg he usually draws in each Horseshoe match, peg 39 !
Stuart finished with 58lb 14oz and opted to fish a piece of 22mm bread on the surface, punched using his homemade punch created from a pipe. His alternate approach when being plagued by the Swans was a 6mm pop-up on the Method feeder, both lines tight to the far bank.
Third place to Jason Chatham with 47lb 12oz from peg number 38. Jason fished a bright pink 7mm Wowser on the Hybrid feeder with micros to the far bank. Then switched to the pellet Waggler while the fish were up and cruising and finally using the pole in the margins on Luncheon Meat.
Section Wins for Andrew Wilson, Dave Marzell and Phil Price.
Full Result
1st Antony Johnson 159 lbs 14 oz – Peg # 15
2nd Stuart Baxter 58 lbs 14 oz – Peg # 39
3rd Jason Chatham 47 lbs 12 oz – Peg # 38
4th Andy P Wilson 36 lbs 12 oz – Peg # 35
5th David Marzell 35 lbs 10 oz – Peg # 14
6th Phil Price 35 lbs 6 oz – Peg # 16
7th Ray Torrington 32 lbs 11 oz – Peg # 9
8th Paul Barron 32 lbs 10 oz – Peg # 5
9th Ray Morland 32 lbs 1 oz – Peg # 31
10th Paul Sugarman 30 lbs 7 oz – Peg # 19
11th Alfie Kendall 30 lbs 1 oz – Peg # 17
12th Kevin Crompton 29 lbs 7 oz – Peg # 18
13th Mick Wright 17 lbs 5 oz – Peg # 13
14th Nathan Grech 11 lbs 7 oz – Peg # 7
15th Dave Preston 8 lbs 15 oz – Peg # 24
16th Graham Wright DNW – Peg # 11
Knockout Cup Result
Ray Torrington beat Dave Preston
Dave Marzell beat Mick Wright
Jason Chatham beat Nathan Grech
Paul Barron beat Kevin Crompton
Andrew Wilson beat Phil Price
Alfie Kendall beat Graham Wright
Ray Morland beat Paul Sugarman
Stuart Baxter bye.
Knockout Cup 2nd Round
Paul Barron v Jason Chatham
Stuart Baxter v Ray Torrington
Dave Marzell v Andrew Wilson
Ray Morland v Alfie Kendall
