This year’s competitors (from the left), Ian Elsey, Gary Cox, Dave Troop, Simon Blaydes, Phil Middleton, Andy Wright, Dave Wass, Jim Smith.
Even though the south wind howled and the rain lashed down; eight excitable men still turned out in high spirits, some had even come home from the pub early Saturday night ready for the big day!
The usual banter ensued as I (Simon Blaydes) commented on the horizontal rain, Phil Middleton kindly reassured me that I didn’t need to worry about the rain as drips don’t get wet! Thanks Phil. The pegs were drawn at random, Dave Troop unbelievably pulling the magical peg 12 ‘’Ricks Peg’’ for the second year running.
By 9.50am time was called and the sky was a blur of hi visibility floats, feeders, pole rigs and catapulted sweetcorn. The match was fairly steady with the weather making presentation challenging! The lads in the sheltered corners got their heads down and were keeping a steady stream of fish coming.
Dave Troop called ‘’time’’ at 1.00pm at that was the end of our third Rick Paton Memorial Match held on 29.07.18.
Results
The match results are as follows :
1st Gary Cox – 12lb 6oz PEG 2
2nd Dave Wass – 8lb 2oz PEG 4
3rd Simon Blaydes – 6lb 10oz PEG 8
Interestingly, the match was won last year by Phil Middleton from the same peg 2! £40.00 was raised on the day for our chosen charity, The Brain Tumour Charity.
Especial thanks to Dawn Peel for providing the snack goody bag of treats that kept us all going nicely throughout the match. Also Dave Stainton, John Dennis and Keith Brazier for helping prepare the grounds and lake for the charity event.
The 2018 winner, Gary Cox with his catch.
This year’s competitors
- Philip Middleton – Peg 15
- Gary Cox – Peg 2
- Dave Wass – Peg 4
- Ian Elsey – Peg 5 (THE JUNGLE!)
- Dave Troop – Peg 12 (Rick’s Peg)
- Jim Smith – Peg 6
- Andy Wright (ex Gelder Employee) – Peg 14
- Simon Blaydes – Peg 8