Mid-week frosts led to a clearer canal than seen during the recent excellent practices and coupled with bright sunshine led to a slow start for the 89 competitors on the Angling Trust Southern Winter League semi final held on Saturday 29th March 2014 on the Kennet and Avon canal, Marlborough. 

Subsequently, the famed skimmers normally found on these prolific sections failed to materialise in any numbers and the roach were reluctant to feed until the latter stages of the match. So it became a perch match and thankfully they obliged in numbers. 

Daiwa Gordon Leagues’ Dave Micklewright virtually had the match won in the first 30 minutes when he landed 7 large perch to 3lb on worm and maggot fished over chopped worm from his peg on the tree at Potters. A further 7 perch caught during the day completed his catch of 22-4-0 for a fairly simple win. Thatchers’ Nigel Evans drawn on end peg 1 at Church caught 4 large perch and a few small skimmers late on for 17-4-0 and second place, also on worm and maggot but fished over groundbait down the track. 

Daiwa Gordon Leagues’ Mark Gaylard took third spot also with 4 large perch and a few skimmers for 13-1-0 taken on worm over groundbait down the track from end peg 1 at Station.

But this match was all about the team result and England and Kamasan Starlets Manager Mark Downes basked in the glory of his team only picking up one brown envelope for a section default win, but still leading his team to victory on the day with 66 points. Close behind were the mighty Daiwa Dorking with 63 points and the last qualifying place went to Daiwa Gordon League with 59 points.

The Angling Trust would like to thank the local organiser Nigel Franks, his team and Marlborough and District for a well organised and excellent match.

Angling Trust winter league Southern Semi final 2014 top five individual results

1st     Dave Micklewright     Daiwa Gordon League             22-4-0

2nd    Nigel Evans              Preston Innovations Thatchers 17-4-0

3rd     Mark Gaylard           Daiwa Gordon League             13-1-0

4th     Steve Tubb              Arun Angling                           12-14-0

5th     Simon Willsmore     Team Daiwa Dorking                11-11-0

5th     Troy Weaver            Daiwa Gordon League              11-11-0

Angling Trust winter league Southern Semi final 2014 team results

1st     Kamasan Starlets                      66 points

2nd    Team Daiwa Dorking                  63 points

3rd     Daiwa Gordon League                59 points

4th     Arun Angling                             48 points

5th     Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths      47 points

6th     Preston Innovations Thatchers    46 points

7th     Sensas Oakwood                      43 points

8th     Maver Cardinals Black               42 points

9th     Garbolino Banstead                   34 points