The Angling Trust Cadet, Junior and Intermediate National Championships took place on Saturday 30th June 2012 at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes Fishery, Epworth, Doncaster. This prestigious event saw over 250 youngsters taking part which was an increase on 2011.
Unfortunately wet and windy conditions greeted the teams at the draw in the morning, but by the time the fishing commenced the sun was shining and it stayed with the competitors for the duration of the match. Sadly the damp weather conditions returned just in time for the weighing in.
Suffolk County took the Team Championship title in the Cadets category with an impressive 21 points (26.82kg) to beat Matrix Tameside with 15 points (17.84kg) into second place. Current Champions Smartbait Leeds were third with 14 points (25.04kg), and with 10 points and (17.52kg) Worksop & District AA finished in fourth place. Adam Thorne of Smartbait Leeds took the individual title for the gold medal from peg F1 with 9.06kg. In second place was Ben Fry, Worksop & District AA from peg B3 with 7.24kg, and in third and fourth places were Suffolk County anglers Jamie Marriott from peg D3 with 5.60kg, and Oliver Saunders on peg F4 with 4.88kg.
The Junior Championship attracted 23 teams of six anglers with Worksop & District AA Red taking the gold medal to come out as team Champions with 122 points (79.96kg). In runner up position were Pride of Derby Juniors with 112 points (64.94kg), and in third place Barnsley & District Red with 101 points (57.88kg). In fourth place was Matrix Tameside with 97 points 58.80kg. In the individual category it was Boston & District AA angler Tom Morretti who won the Championship title from peg D6 with a fantastic winners weight of 23.700kg. In second place was Liam Harrison of Pride and Derby Juniors from peg B17 with 19.280kg and in bronze medal position was Connor Morris of Worksop DAA Blue team on peg E1 with 18.760kg. In fourth place was Matrix Tameside angler Joe Kent from peg C17 with 17.400kg.
The top six junior anglers from the National Championship can now look forward to Sunday 15th July 2012 where they will be competing for the Fish ‘O’ Mania Junior Championship title at Cudmore Fishery, Newcastle under Lyme. They are; Tom Moretti (Boston & District AA), Liam Harrison (Pride of Derby Juniors), Connor Morris (Worksop & District Blue), Joe Kent (Matrix Tameside), Kyle Lockwood (Barnsley & District Red) and Shane Seeley (Worksop & District AA Red).
The Intermediate category saw Sensas A4 walk away with the team Championship title for 2012 with 65 points (120.06kg). In second place winning the silver medal with 62 points (103.94kg) were Matrix Tameside and in third place Suffolk County Red with 57 points (101.52kg). Finishing in fourth place was Warrington AA with 55 points 91.46kg. Two of the Sensas A4 anglers took two of three placings in the individual category with Ben Lockwood, taking the gold medal position with a fantastic weight of 33.100kg from peg F5. In runner up position was Luke Butterworth of Barnsley & District AAS from peg B1 with 31.300kg. In third position with 30.600kg again from the winning team was Harry Marsh on peg A4, and in fourth place Dan Elliot of Suffolk County Red from peg D1 weighed in with 28.900kg.
In 2013 the Cadet, Junior and Intermediate National Championships moves to Tunnel Barn Fishery in Warwickshire on Saturday 29th June.
The Angling Trust would like to express their appreciation and thanks to Neil and Bev Grantham and all their staff and helpers at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes for all their help and support not only on the day of the event, but in the build up to the Championship.
