AN ESSEX angling trio has reeled a prestigious big game fishing championship in the Caribbean after bagging some huge marlin to over 350lb.
Alan Pritchard, 44, of Canvey Island, John McEvilley, 38, Terry Hamlyn, 30, both from South Benfleet, beat off 78 other competitors to take the three-day IGFA International Game Fishing Association Offshore Championship 2003, which was fished off Tobago.
Amazingly, it’s the second time the South Benfleet Social Club Sea Angling Club anglers have won the Rolex-backed event and the team will now compete in the invitation-only Championship of Champions in Mexico in 2004.
The team, which was sponsored by Scottish Courage and Fosters beers, Leigh Bathroom Centre, Daws Heath Timber and Rippleside Metals, had to see off hard competition from some top US challengers, who were winning up to the final day when the British team took a massive 355lb blue marlin, the biggest of the tournament.”