Veterans World Championships

The River Arno in Florence presented a real challenge for the England Veterans in last week’s World Championships. The target fish ranged from tiny bleak, about 100 to the pound, to double figure carp and catfish.

With several of the continental teams expert at catching bleak, it was decided to adopt a more attacking approach which did not really pay off. The team finished seventh on day one with Stan not in the team and then fifth on day two, despite section wins for Dicky Carr and Terry Lancaster. Stan was unlucky that a carp which would have given him a section win came off the hook.

An overall sixth place finish was a disappointment after last year’s silver medal and left the team wondering if the safer bleak approach might have resulted in a silver or bronze medal behind the Italian gold medal winners.

It was nevertheless a memorable experience, especially the opening ceremony when the anglers of the 58 participating nations paraded onto the racecourse.

St Ives AS.

Sunday’s individual open match fished in appalling weather but A section was won by Tony McGregor. For once few fish came to worm and the best weight were all of small fish.

Results: 1. Tony McGregor 7lb 6oz, 2. Colin Leach 6lb, 3. Paul Ashcroft 5lb 3oz.

Next Sunday is the annual teams-of-four event. Roy Whincup is taking the bookings and if individuals wish to enter they can be allocated to teams.

St Neots AS

Pocket Park (Sept 3): 1. Dennis Holliday 5lb 3oz, 2. Ro Fryer 3lb 12oz, 3. Chris Young 2lb 13oz.

Ramsey A.S

The teams-of-three was fished on the high number pegs on the Forty Foot and with the top two anglers individually, Paul Kilby and George Coles, in the same team the result was never in question.

Individual: 1. Paul Kilby 9lb4 � oz, 2. George Coles 7lb 4oz, Vern Edgley 3lb 6oz.; Team winners: George Coles, Paul Kilby and Andrew Kilby

Results

Benwick AC

Burtons Bank (Aug 28): 1. Jon Hazelden 6lb 13oz, 2. Paul Kilby 4lb 2oz, 3. Dave Jarrett 3lb 7 � oz.; Copalder (Sept 4): 1. Andy Ingram 15lb 8oz, 2. Jon Hazelden 7lb 5oz, 3. Kevin Gaunt 5lb 14oz.

Lawn Farm

Golden Rod (Aug 23): 1. Chris Young 100lb 2oz, 2. John Pratt 48lb 4oz, 3. Roger Dickerson 44lb 12oz; Golden Rod (Aug 30): 1.Malcolm Theakstone 72lb 6oz, 2. John Pratt 58lb 12oz, 3. Mick Sonnett 45lb 4oz.

Rookery Farm, Pidley

Open Match Sunday (Aug 29): 1. Jim Garratty 92lb 2oz, 2. Roy Whincup (Fox Match Stanjay) 67lb 12oz, 3. Matt Roberts (Fox Match Stanjay) 60lb 2oz; OAP Match (Sept 1): 1. Roger Abbott 78lb 6oz, 2. Mick Sonnett 74lb 10oz, 3. Mac Campbell 72lb 9oz.

Cross Drove

Result (Sept 4): 1. Steve Cowley (Cross Drove) 93lb 6oz, 2. Dave Pearce Jnr (Wisbech) 76lb 3oz, 3. Steve Norman (Kev’s Tackle) 58lb 4oz.

Headfen Lakes

The Autumn Masters final was fished over two days last weekend and proved a very close contest. Three anglers had two section wins with Steve Jackson retaining the title from Pete Lambdin and Allan Archer.

Autumn Masters: 1. Steve Jackson (Headfen), 2. Pete Lambdin (Headfen), 3. Allan Archer (Shipshape Tackle).

FIXTURES

Wednesday, Sept 6

Rookery Farm: OAP Open, draw 8.45 am, fish 9.45 am-4pm.

Cross Drove: Qualifier, draw 8.30am, fish 10am-4pm.

Saturday, Sept 10

Cross Drove: Qualifier, draw 8.30am, fish 10am-4pm.

Sunday, Sept 11

Ramsey AS: HAJAC Teams of Four, Dolphin Meadow, St Ives, draw 8.30am, fish 10am-3pm (entries to Roy Whincup).

Benwick AC: Floods Ferry, draw 7am, fish 8am-1pm.

St Neots: Willington Bed, draw 8.30am, fish 10am-3pm (meet Coneygear 7.30am).

Cross Drove: Qualifier, draw 8.30am, fish 10am-4pm.

Tuesday, Sept 13

Lawn Farm: Golden Rod Open, draw 9am, fish 10am-3pm. Pic - HPT Sport 36 Fish: The Arno River in Florence where the England Vets fished in the World Championships.