The fourth qualifying match for anglings Grand Prize at a prolific Tunnel Barn Farm produced one of the closest qualifiers to date with Gary Baugh proving the eventual winner.

Match organiser David Kent stated that, “Tunnel Barn Farm produced a first class event which looked too close to call right up to the weigh-in.  All indications were that anyone of perhaps eight anglers were in with a shout of taking that qualifying place”.

Gary Baugh, Painter and Decorator from Merseyside however kept his head down catching steadily all day, including carp weighing up to the 5 lbs mark. These 5 lbs fish obviously made the difference as he put 112 lbs 9ozs on the scales to win the event. Gary caught shallow on caster feeding 2 ½ pints throughout the match.

This was a great win for Gary who drew peg 12 on Club Pool stating, “having drawn the Club Pool I didn’t fancy my chances as it was regarded by the locals before the match as the hardest lake and impossible to win on. I got my first bite after 5-10 minutes and then the fish kept coming and I constantly caught from then on”.

Gary, who qualified last year for the final but didn’t catch is “hoping that this year brings more success in the final”.

Runner up was Stoke-on-Trent star Neil Machin who fished peg number 22, and weighed 79 lbs 15ozs on Extension Pool. Neil had mainly Formula 1’s with some better Mirror Carp mainly on sweetcorn over pellet.

Third was Paul Sheehan from Stockport with 78 lbs 5ozs from Extension peg 10. His fish were all Formula 1’s caught shallow on caster.

The lowest weight to win a 10-peg section was 37lbs 9ozs, a further indication of how close it was. The event went extremely well throughout and was a credit to the hard working staff at Tunnel Barn Farm.