Andy Leathers has been crowned the 2013 Parkdean Masters Champion, after winning the final on Jenny’s Lake at Cornwall’s White Acres complex.

The match, which is widely regarded as one of angling’s most prestigious finals, is contested by the top 24 finishers in White Acres flagship Preston Innovations festival, and carries a £25,000 winners cheque.

Andy, who held the lead from the start, ended up pipping late challenger, Ben Fisk, by just five ounces, after weighing in with 94-13-0. Andy fished long pole and worms, including fish to double figures in his 20 carp haul.

He was pushed to the post at the weigh in however, as Middy ace Ben Fisk recorded a brilliant 97-15-0 of F1s, caught shallow on pellets. It wasn’t until Andy weighed in that he realised that he has pipped Ben by the narrowest of margins – beating him by just five ounces, and weighing in 98-4-0.

Remarkably, Andy only secured his place in the final by the narrowest of margins, clinching the last qualifying place by a single point.

The delighted champion explained: “I am absolutely over the moon – to win something like this is a feat I thought I would only ever dream of achieving. It still hasn’t quite sunk in to be honest. I was the last to draw, and peg sixteen was left in the bag for me – I guess it was just my day!

I have caught fishing chopped worms and caster on the bottom, and have managed to keep fish coming for the duration of the day. Halfway through the match, I was told that I was leading the match, so I tried to keep fish coming. I didn’t realise that Ben had caught as well as he had, so I was relieved when I found out I had done enough.

I would also like to say a big thank you to the sponsors, Parkdean who make the event possible.”

Parkdean’s Regional Director, Stephen Griffiths congratulated the winner: “A big congratulations to Andy, it has been one of the most exciting matches in the events 14 year history, and the closest finish to date. It really was a riveting match to watch.”

For a full report on how Andy won, check out the December issue of Match Fishing Magazine!

Parkdean Master 2013 Results…