Results of the Chavs vs Ace’s Challenge Match 2007We said we’d have to meet up again, so we did! This time in an attempt to find some reasonable weather a re-match was organised for early October. The Gold Valley complex remained the venue although we chose to fish Syndicate Lake this time and the weather was indeed much kinder to us. A very mild and calm day greeted the assorted FM members as we assembled in the clubhouse for a very welcome breakfast and the usual enjoyable banter.
We were fewer in number this time around but after a last minute re-shuffle at least the two teams were numerically balanced. Mike Last has now had the honour of fishing for both The Aces and The Chavs! Quite a few “new” faces were evident this time as well as a sprinkling of battle hardened survivors from the first match. Once the draw had been made the banter quickly evolved into more serious huddles as tactics were discussed in whispered voices. Wendy was seen to accost just about every “local” within a 1/2 mile radius seeking confirmation that her “Swimstim Green Pellet Paste” was the way to go. Not sure what the result was but even the fishery cat doesn’t like the stuff, let alone the carp!
The far bank of Syndicate Lake is a fair walk from the car park. So I’d previously arranged with “The Management” that Graham W. (due to his dodgy leg) could drive round to his peg. Now, not wishing to see him get lost, I agreed to lead the way in my car. It was also obvious that Graham M. would have to follow (just in case either of us broke down). So, in convoy, we made our way past Bungalow Lake, alongside Middle Lake and eventually to our pegs. En route, we did pass Wendy and certain other members of The Chavs (all with an awful lot of gear!). I didn’t quite catch what was said but judging by the waves and gestures, I think they were just pleased to see us! (I’ll have you know I took Claudia’s very heavy seatbox round for her. That was a waste of time, nowt in it worth nicking; bloody chavs! – Graham).
With plenty of time of get set up and feeling quite refreshed I had a quick look at who had drawn where. Interesting! The two captains had again drawn well, again side by side (although this time with a blank peg between them) and Wendy had the “plum” end peg! Graham had permanent peg 118 (I refer you to previous match reports in the Forum!) and Wendy was on the point in permanent peg 120 (again see the Forum for how to catch 70lb in the last hour!). [And Neils’s not mentioning that he drew my peg for me, knowing full well that the opposite end, the low numbers, were now favourite! – Graham]. As for me, I had Claudia to my right (Great! She’s known as “Jonah” in certain other internet establishments) and her partner Mike to my left. That bloke Wintle was only two pegs away chuntering away about “I’m only here for the roach”. I was reasonably happy with my draw and reckoned the carp were close but would take a while to get going (well they had turned up late all last week – did I tell you I practiced on Monday, Wednesday and Friday?). So the match started and all was going to plan. No fish but at least I was fishing well and hitting the same spot regularly with my feeder! No hurry, the carp will be there soon, it’s just a matter of time. Then Mike had a carp, and another! Claudia had one! I saw several rod benders further down the line and even Mark was playing “let’s see how far this elastic can stretch” as he struggled to control a lively common. After an hour and a half I was not only fishless but hadn’t had a single touch! Time to panic! (There’s a clue as to why I never quite made it as a decent match angler!). Switching to the pole inside was plan “B” and aimed at the “silver fish”. I couldn’t buy a bite! Back and forth I switched from pole to feeder and was seriously beginning to wonder if I was going to totally blank! Then, eventually, the tip went round and what felt like a very decent carp headed for the far bank. At last, and having kicked over my coffee in the process, I was finally attached to some points. But then I realised the reel wouldn’t backwind and the clutch wasn’t working, the line had somehow wrapped itself around the bale arm and the hook pulled out! This was going to be a bad day! Although I was struggling it looked as though a few carp were being landed and the bankside rumour mill was working overtime. Word was that Scott was “into them” and Dave Bourne had also “had a few”. Apparently Woody had them queued up in front of him, which was strange as he was probably on the Thames at the time spinning for pike!
Time ticked by and I did manage to get a few roach and perch plus a suicidal carp into the net so I had some points and was a little happier. With 45 minutes to go I started to pick up some good roach, skimmers and hybrids on the pole on caster (pronounced “carster” or “cassta” or variations on a theme – isn’t the English language wonderful?). I then had a good double figure carp on the same method. It seemed quite a few of us had a late, late run of fish right up to the end, with several people playing carp when the hooter went. As we prepared to weigh in, it was clear the team result was going to be very close indeed. On the individual front I thought it might be really close as quite a few seemed to have similar numbers. But the first weigh-in blew that thought away very quickly! Dave Bourne on peg 1 put 13 carp on the scales for 61lb 8oz. That was some catch on a day when Gold Valley didn’t really live up to its reputation. Well done Dave, you fished very well for that.
The Aces were off to the best possible start but straight away Phillip in the next peg put doubt in their minds with 19lb of carp and 1lb+ of silvers to outscore Dave on points. Colin North (ACE) and Scott Whatmore (CHAV) both had 30lb nets of carp plus silvers to keep it nice and close. The middle pegs didn’t really give up too many carp but everyone contributed valuable points. Yours truly had sneaked a couple of last minute, face saving carp for 27lb+ and was pleasantly surprised when the silvers took the scales round to 9lb. Mike Last ended up with four carp for 31lb plus a solitary 1oz perch. Mark Wintle had lost a few carp on the pole but he did manage to put one on scales for 6lb+. But he excelled with some quality roach and skimmers for a silvers total of 17lb 12oz. Sue North in the next peg also put a single carp on the scales for 4lb+ together with some valuable ounces of silvers. The battle of the captains was close! Graham found 21lb+ of carp to Wendy’s 27lb including a good double. But both blanked on the Silvers! Graham 10 points, Wendy 11 points. (I fished like an idiot, giving up on the silvers after an hour, totally forgetting that we were fishing for points. No excuses though, I was outfished that day and well done to David Bourne, Neil and all the others who showed me how it should be done. And many thanks to Neil for doing another great job of organising the event – Graham).
We all adjourned to the pub for food, beer and the results. It did indeed turn out to be very, very close but the final team tally was: The Aces 133 points The Aces win and the score is now 1-1 Individual Overall Weight: Dave Bourne 61lb 08oz Graham and FishingMagic have donated a splendid perpetual trophy to be awarded to the highest points scorer. That went to ….me! Neil Maidment 27 points (Incidentally, I’ll make sure the top points scorer from the first event – Paul Williams – is added to the trophy) Once again we had a damn good day out, the right balance of friendly competition, fun and putting faces to internet names. Thanks to everyone for an excellent day, can’t wait for Round 3!
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