The first of the Northern semi-finals of the Angling Trust Winter League was held at Garbolino Lindholme lakes on Saturday 5th April 2014, which once again lived up to its reputation as a premier fishery providing superb hospitality as well as everything else any angler could want.
Ten teams of ten anglers, having qualified through the various northern leagues over the winter months were now competing to achieve a top 3 position in order to participate in the Final of the winter league against 9 other teams on the Gloucester Canal on Sunday 6th July 2014.
Six teams had already qualified from the 2 southern semi-finals, 3 from Colemans cottage and 3 from the Kennet and Avon canal, with a further 3 qualifiers from the GUC at Loughborough on Sunday 6th April 2014.
The day was cool with a weather forecast that promised increasing strength winds and rain later in the day however, this did not put a damper on the anglers nor the fishing. The lakes used were Bonsai, Oasis, Willows and New Match Lake (Benny’s) which was only completed last year and had never been match fished or practiced on by any of the competing anglers, although many knew what tactics would be required to catch from here.
All of the lakes fished well with the lowest section winning weight being 28 Kg, but as is the norm with these events, it was very difficult to identify during the day which of the 10 competing teams would be the eventual winners.
The eventual winners were Maver Midlands from the North Wales Winter League who, having spent the best part of 3 weeks practicing for the event turned that practice into points on the day by accumulating 85 points made up of 1 section winner, 3 section seconds and 6 section thirds.
Second place went to Drennan Barnsley Blacks from the Eastern Winter League with a point’s total of 79.
In third place was Chambers Champs from the Tunnel Barn Farm Winter League with a point’s total of 77 points.
The Individual winner on the day was Lee Harrison of Drennan Barnsley Blacks with a weight of 65.750 kg from peg H10 on Bonsai Lake.
2014 Northern Winter League Semi Final
Team Results
POS TEAM TOTAL POINTS WEIGHT (Kg)
1 Maver Midlands 85 339.940
2 Drennan Barnsley Blacks 79 357.970
3 Chambers Champs 77 329.330
4 Mosella Quaker 76 306.710
5 Izaaks Match Group 57 232.100
6 Ted Carter Preston 48 217.460
7 Stanjay Gold 46 194.650
8 Quorn 33 156.590
9 Grimsby Bait to Fish 27 145.340
10 Dams and Lock 20 93.270
Top 6 Individual Results
POS PEG NAME TEAM Weight (Kg)
1 H 10 Lee Harrison – Drennan Barnsley Blacks 65.750
2 G 6 Stuart Bird – Ted Carter Preston 51.060
3 G 2 Rob Harbour – Mosella Quaker 48.720
4 A 1 Steve Ringer – Chambers Champs 47.200
5 F 1 Johhny Maddison – Mosella Quaker 45.180
6 G 9 Jamie Hughes – Maver Midlands 44.720
