Rob's day
Back at Beggar's Hall today for an Interclub match with Abbey Cross. A bit colder than the last few days with a chilly wind blowing away from the carpark end. We lent Abbey Tony Heath to make the teams 8 a side, so with 16 anglers on the lake a couple of dodgy pegs had to be put in.
At the draw the only peg I didn’t want was peg 2 so no surprise when that was left for me when all others had drawn, I suppose someone had to have it. Not many options on this peg as the margins are not great – very shallow and rooty under the willow to the left (also lily pads to the left that you can’t reach due to the tree). Deep to the right amongst the tree roots. The main attack was the feeder just up to the tree as the lake is narrow here and I had Peter Green opposite on peg 22.
Match started with Peter catching a carp on the waggler after a few seconds, couldn’t see anyone else.
Nothing after 3 hours then a pull round out of the blue and a carp around 7lb. Sadly no more bites – tried the pole out long, and the margins but no signs of life – apart from a family of geese that repeatedly attacked my groundbait bowl – least something was eating it.
At the weigh in – Martin kindly weighed the low bank while after putting my carp on the scales for 7lb (and last in the match!) went to see some fish on the high bank. Peter had added another small carp (which he tried to pass as a roach!), a tench and a bream for 14lb 4oz – Graham had 31lb 2oz from 21 and Jeff 11lb 13oz from peg 20. As expected, pegs 19 down to 16 produced the best weight on the day with Bill 50lb 9 oz and second from peg 19, Bob Fox 33lb from 18, Fred winning the bank and top weight on the day with 54lb 2oz, and Tony Heath getting 3rd with 39lb 7oz from peg 16. Tony also deposited his phone and glasses into the lake – I think he retrieved his phone but if anyone catches a pair of sunglasses on peg 16.
On the low bank Tony Parker topped the day with 26lb from peg 13, Ray Gibson second from peg 4 with 17lb 13oz and Tony Cruci third with 16lb 7oz – so a good day for Tony’s.
The team result – Bishop's Stortford 74 points Abbey Cross 62. Thanks again for Martin and Abbey Cross for their help today – also to Alan who tried to take my peg this morning – mistaking peg 2 for peg 3 – I wish he had stayed there! Photo today is Fred with his winning catch.