The first of the Northern Semi Finals of the Angling Trust Winter League took place at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Epworth, Doncaster with 90 anglers who set out to be one of the top three teams out of the nine competing teams to qualify for a place in the Winter League Final to be held on Saturday 11 August 2012 at Partridge Lakes Fishery, Culcheth, Nr Warrington.
With conditions on the day going from the 20’s to temperatures of 5-6 degrees along with a very fresh northerly wind, expectations were that the conditions would reduce the potential for big weights, although the venue fished well and weights in excess of 20 kilos were needed to win each of the ten sections.
The match, however, was not about individuals but about teams and hot favourites Drennan North West were to prove that the time they had spent practicing in the run up to the event was to pay off. With four section winners, one second and two thirds in section, plus two fourths and one fifth, they ran out winners with a clear nine point advantage over their nearest rivals. They also had the individual winner in Andy Bennett who, drawn on the fancied Willow Lake peg J8, amassed a total weight of 50kg 780g.
Individual placings: (Kg . g)
1st Andy Bennett (Drennan North West) 50.780
2nd Josh Newton (Browning Quaker) 37.850
3rd Adie Twist (Tricast Highfield) 35.350
4th Johnny Madison (Browning Quaker) 33.970
Team placings:
1st Drennan North West 75 points
2nd Chambers Champs 66 points
3rd Browning Quaker 62 points
4th Garbolino Ossett 60 points
