RN&RMAA Championships Report 2007

On completion of the 2006 Championships, the consensus of the assembled members was to hold the 2007 event on a commercial water and the greenhouse stretch of the Trent and Mersey canal. Terry Oakey kindly volunteered to find a suitable commercial venue close to the Trent and Mersey canal near Nottingham. Rycroft Fishery at Hemington was selected as a being most suitable as it was close to Shardlow marina campsite. The added bonus was the on site bar and restaurant are run by Terry's pother, Michael. Pride of Derby AC recommended an alternative stretch to the preferred greenhouse stretch, as they considered the Wilne boats stretch a fairer venue, with a good head of skimmers, roach and perch. This venue was less than a mile from the campsite at Shardlow Marina and Rycroft was less than two miles away. Heaven!!

Pre championship practice sessions in late June revealed Rycroft would respond to any method and bait. Maggot, caster and worm accounted for the silver fish and paste, pellet and corn for the carp. The canal was a revelation, practice nets of between 5lb 8oz and 12lb created great optimism for a good return on match day. pead punch scored well, catching fish for a full three hours before bites tailed off. Good roach falling to hemp or caster and good canal sized peam responding to groundbait, worm and caster.

To encourage participation over both days, team and individual placing would be decided on both days section point's score, with weight being taken into account if the point's were tied.

Practice in the days preceding the championships revealed Rycroft had slowed in sport, but weights between 30 - 40lb were still being returned. The Navy jinx however struck again on match day. Craig "Whiskey" Walker was top weight on the day with 37lb 9oz, 20lb 3oz by second placed Scott Rispin lead the rest of the field, with only seven other anglers weighing in double figures; a big disappointment.

The canal had also responded well in practice prior to the match day, so being ever optimistic, a better day was expected for the canal. Wrong!! The canal had completely switched off. On the Thursday practice, most anglers had between 3lb and 6lb to show for their efforts. Section winners from day one; Whiskey Walker and Scott Rispin, were drawn in the same section for the canal match, so the victor would most likely be the overall individual champion. Top weight on the day was a disappointing 3lb 9oz 4 drams by Pete Edwards who fished pole at 16m for two bonus perch, although his "bits" would have won the section without the "stripeys". Trev Conroy cursed as a canal boat reversed in his peg as Pete guided his important prize back across the canal. Sorry Trev!!

The battle between Whiskey and Scott for overall individual honours was won with a net of only 2lb 7oz 12 drams, Scott showing his class once again, leaving Whiskey disappointed with only 11oz 8 drams for his efforts. Only seven weights over 1lb were recorded.

Scott Rispin was overall champion and associate champion with a perfect "10", after two section wins. Pete and Bob Yeomans were tied on 9 points each for second, Pete finally got the better of Bob on weight by 19lb 11oz 4 drams to 15lb 5oz; to be crowned service champion.

Yeovilton won the team event, with Scotland second (on weight) from the third placed associates.

An outstanding record was so nearly achieved by Bob Yeomans who's section second on Day 1 behind Terry Oakey was the first and only occasion in three years that Bob has not won his section in any Navy or Command event. That is 19 section wins from a possible 20. I doubt if this feat will ever be bettered.

The venue for 2008 has yet to be confirmed, although it is liable to be a southern venue. Practice will be on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June, with the match days being Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June.