Mallory Park Fisheries

News report provided by Kev Russell:

The winter league has finally come to its conclusion after 20 weeks of Sunday matches. The format was four groups of five matches. From the first and last groups four matches would count for points and from the two groups either side of Christmas three matches would count for points; the points being based on the position finished in the section. As it turned out we have had a good showing of committed winter anglers who have braved the coldest of weather in pursuit of the winter league crown. A typical section would be seven or eight anglers, with the sections based on pool 1, pool 6 and pool 7. As a bonus, and to keep anglers fishing (and weighing in), prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each group were awarded.

Starting in early October the early matches saw quite a few 'ton' weights, the first group of matches being won by Chris Downs with a perfect 40 score and 325lb. Second was his travelling partner Chris Allen, a new member, again getting the perfect 40 with 305lb, and third place went to our summer supremo Gordon Parker, with the top group weight of 332lb.

Onto the second group and with the fishing becoming noticeably harder a few day's practice during the week was needed to get amongst the front runners. Again this group was to be won by the Burton posse, Chris Allen taking the lead with a maximum 30 points and 170lb, closely followed by Chris Downs on 29 and 104lb, and Bob 'over practice' Eaton third on 28 and 98lb.

A Christmas break for a fortnight, a bit of shuffling of the fish stocks, and a milder spell of weather meant the fishing was good for the next group. Again Chris Downs scored a maximum of 30 points with a good combined weight of 160lb and second was Dagga '2 pegs' Ward, scoring 29 and a weight of 72lb. After threatening to sack my drawing hand, Bob Eaton, I eventually got near some fish and Kev 'ruthless' Russell was third with 29 points and 120lb.

The last group was going to be intense with all to play for and seven or eight anglers fighting for the top places, with one match cancelled due to another freeze up. Chris Downs managed to pull off another stunning maximum of 40 points, winning his section in all four matches and catching 212lb. Coming second this month was another regular at the payout, Chris Allen on 33 points and a weight of 68lb, and coming in third place in the group was Kerry Dyson with 32 points and 76lb.

New winter league champion is Chris Downs with a really stunning performance dropping just one point over the counting matches and winning most of the others along the way, with a total of 139 points and a combined weight of 795lb. Second is 'new boy' Chris Allen on 131 and 629lb, in a well earned third place is Dave 'Dagga' Ward on 122 and 430lb, and fourth is Gordon Parker on 116 and 538lb, well done guys.

I hope all the anglers that have fished the league have enjoyed the fishing as much as I have, and thanks to all who have helped with the draw and weighing in.

Russelli (19/3/2006).