This year’s match was the tenth charity match, a milestone which proves just how much good will and generosity there is from all the anglers/officials who turned up to supported this event to raise so much money for so many worthy charities.

First off, I’d like to say that this match wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of each of the following:
Jim Hayter, Pete Woodward, Jock Stephenson, Derek Pickard, Alan Head, Steve and Vicky Mottershead, Mark and Lynda Davies, Phil Hazel, Nev & Ant and the Lakeside bailiffs who helped prepare lakeside, Dave Le Gresley, Jo Milton (Raffle draw) with special thanks to Mannings, Ryan Maye & Ian Snook and everyone who very kindly donated raffle prizes.

In some respects though, this event was a little bitter sweet after we learnt that Stephen Foster had passed away only a few weeks ago. Please see the forums for my post about this sad loss.

Match Report:
One of the core principles of this match is that it should be a fun social event, despite the intermittent rain spirits remained high from one end of the lake to the other. The majority of the anglers arrived for midday, drew their pegs and headed off round the lake to get setup. At 15:00 hours the match got underway and although at the first weigh-in the weights were down from last year it was good to see two-thirds of the anglers had something to weigh in even if it was just a small carp. As the day progressed the guys kept plugging away and some stunning fish were being caught including the biggest carp over the weekend which was caught by Mark Hughes 14lb 12oz.

Back in 2018, we purchased a new BBQ, but each year since the weather and then covid has prevented us from being able to use it at the pre-match social gathering we have enjoyed in previous years. Undeterred and despite the rain Steve (FMO) and his wife Vicky somehow managed to cook burgers and sausages for everyone while the match officials delivered the orders to the anglers in their swims to make up for us not being able to enjoy a pre-match gathering. Thankfully apart from a couple of brief showers the weather Sunday morning was a little better and once again Steve and Vicky arrived to man the BBQ along with Mark (AFMO) and Lynda they served up bacon or sausage butties for all the anglers and officials.

As the morning progressed, I walked the lake selling raffles tickets and was blown away by the very generous level of support from those wanting raffle tickets plus all those who wanted to support Jim (haircut), but also those who wanted to make additional donations to support this year’s two nominated charities.

Thank you.

Hope to see you all back again next year.

Mike Alsop

 

Congratulations to Karl Smith

Once again Karl has proved very difficult to beat defending his win from last year. He was one of only a few anglers who managed to keep catching throughout both days to finish with a very respectable 132lb 2oz.