The ATr report:
The Welsh Federation of Sea Angling hosted the Home International Shore Angling Championship from 08 – 12 July 2013 for the Junior, Youth, Ladies and Men’s teams. It was the first time that the nations had fielded teams for the Ladies’ Championship, which proved to be a resounding success.
The Championships were held on Abererch beach, near Pwllheli, Gwynedd with some fantastic results recorded. Wales won an impressive three gold medals at the Championship in the Men’s, Youth and Ladies’, with England retaining their Championship title with a gold medal win in the Junior event.
All the teams faced hot, sunny and windless weather for both days of the Championship and with flat calm clear seas and the heat it made the fishing tougher than ever but there were catches of wrasse, bream, flounder, whiting, dogfish, blenny and butter fish.
The England Junior team ended day one with two section wins, a section, and a fourth in the section which was enough to give the team joint gold medal position with Ireland, for both teams to finish on 15 points.
Day two started with everyone working hard as a team, there was still everything to play for. As the final fish were measured the team knew they had beaten Ireland in four out of the five zones with Ireland only one point behind England. Jaon Voller finished in top individual position with Harry O’Neill as second placed individual overall.
David Graham, England Junior Team Manager said:
“It was a fantastic victory for Team England securing their second Home International gold medal in a row, and the team is already looking forward to competing in Scotland in 2014 going for the triple.”
Junior Team Results
1st England 31 points
2nd Ireland 28 points
3rd Wales 21 points
4th Scotland 15 points
England Junior Team – Daniel Stote, Jaon Voller, Harry O’Neill, Daniel Phillips, Scott Nicholls, Jack Cairns (Reserve), David Graham (Manager), and George Cunningham (Assistant Manager).
The England Youth team fished really hard against a strong Welsh team, with Wales pushing England into runner up position to take the gold medal. New England caps Keelan Owen and Charlie Tudball both got section wins on day two.
Mark Hurcombe, England Youth Team Manager said:
“We got silver which is such a great result and I am very proud to have been part of such a great bunch of lads. Oliver Hopkins was a great Assistant Manager, and really showed his skills to the team, and Ben Harrison the reserve really made a difference with all his help. It was great to see all of our work rewarded.”
Youth Team Results
1st Wales 34 points
2nd England 31 points
3rd Ireland 18 points
4th Scotland 17 points
England Youth Team – Jake Butcher, Michael Brookes, Callum Graham, Charlie Tudball, Keelan Owen, Ben Harrison (Reserve), Mark Hurcombe (Manager), and Oliver Hopkins (Assistant Manager).
The England Ladies team were leading after the first match with two zone wins and two seconds, but Wales got four zone wins on the second day with the England Ladies managing just one win. New England cap Becky Adams finished in a fantastic second place overall in the individual placings, with the team taking a well-earned silver medal.
Ladies Team Results
1st Wales 21 points
2nd England 18 points
3rd Ireland 8 points
England Ladies Team – Nicky Frewin, Rachael Jarman, Sophie Archer, Rebecca Adams, Adele Smith, Kay Brown (Reserve), and Wendy Metcalfe (Manager).
In the Men’s it was Wales who were leading on day one with a very strong Team Ireland just behind, with England and Ireland battling it out for the runner up position on day two. Both teams finished up to tie on points with the final result being decided on count back which pushed Team England into third place to take the bronze. Ashley Sampson finished the Championship as highest placed England individual in second place overall.
Men’s Team Results
1st Wales 30 points
2nd Ireland 26 points
3rd England 26 points
4th Scotland 17 points
England Men’s Team – Neil Cutler, Gareth Griffiths, Bill Lindfield, Ashley Sampson, George Smith, Garrie Forster (Reserve), and Darren Philliips (Manager).
