INTER COMMAND LEAGUE 1ST ROUND DRYAD LAKE - MONDAY 19 FEpUARY

31 anglers lined the banks for what was a very impressive turnout for the first match of the year. The RN and RM AA would like to thank Portsmouth RN and RM AA for use of Dryad Lake, particularly as the match fell within their usual "closed" season. Despite a top weight of 98lb 8oz by CPO Nick White (HMS Southampton), but representing Scotland, the weights were generally patchy and unfortunately seven blanks were recorded. The NAC won the first round with 25 points followed by the RM with 24 and the individuals on 23. Unfortunately Portsmouth could not capitalise on home advantage in this round and scored 19 points. Despite Nick White's big weight, Scotland scored 11.

INTER COMMAND LEAGUE 2nd ROUND VIADUCT FISHERY - MONDAY 12 MARCH

The good turnout continued with 25 at the Viaduct for the second round. Thankfully no blanks this time, the NAC made good use of home advantage by securing top spot with 29 points out a possible 30, the RM's scored 24, Scotland 22 and Portsmouth 20. CPO Keith 'Mash' Masheeder (Yeovilton) finished top individual with 56lb 14oz, CPO Dave Hillier (Culdrose) was second with 35lb 13oz to push WO1 Bob Yeomans (RAF Shawbury) into third with 34lb.

INTER COMMAND LEAGUE 3rd ROUND RIVER HUNTSPILL - MONDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

A magnificent turnout with 37 anglers for this Round, sadly the fishing was very poor, 1 DNW, one section won with only 3lb 10oz and nine anglers returned less than 1lb. Keith Masheeder however weighed in 37lb 6oz to eclipse the second place weight by a massive 29lb 8oz; at least one angler had a good day. This was the RM choice of venue and they proved to be the strongest team, (sic) holding up the rest with a point's total of 14. The NAC continued with their rich vein of form and again scored 29 out of 30 to take top spot, with Plymouth on 25 and both Portsmouth and Scotland on 19. This result secured the Inter Command League title for the NAC with three wins out of three. The RM were 2nd with 9 points and Portsmouth and Scotland joint 3rd with 8 points each.

It was fantastic to see Plymouth Command return to the league for this round. The Inter Command League has attracted more anglers this year than for many years; it is most encouraging for the 2008 season and beyond. The innovation of categorising anglers within their ability peer group has been a resounding success; I have received only positive comments for this new format. I wish I could take the credit, but that lies solely with Bob Yeomans who proposed the idea. Thanks Bob.

INTER COMMAND CHAMPIONSHIPS HERONHOOK - MONDAY 29 OCTOBER

A cold and damp Staffordshire welcomed the 19 anglers who ventured North of the M5 for the first time this year. Scotland did not have a choice of venue this year, so in a peak with normal protocol, the coarse secretary allowed them the Command Championship venue choice. I wish I could report that it was an inspired choice, although that is a bit harsh; the lowest weight was 14lb 2oz, so it wasn't all bad. Bob Yeomans won, with a weight of 66lb 4oz. 2nd place went to a long time absent angler from the RN scene, CPO Mick Ezard (HMS Spartan), with 62lb. Nick White secured third place with 53lb 7oz.

In this match, the team results were calculated on best 4 individual results, as Portsmouth could only field a four-man team.

The NAC won the Championships with a perfect four sections from four for a 24 point total. Plymouth were second with 21 points, Scotland with 15 and Portsmouth with 14. Unfortunately the RM's were absent which reduced the field to 19, although still a good turnout from previous years.

Inter Command matchman of the year is once again WO1 Bob Yeomans, with a perfect 4 section wins from 4 matches, scoring the maximum of 24 points. PO Trev Conroy (Culdrose) was in 2nd place with a total points score of 21. Trev was also the Intermediate category winner. Next year he will definitely be reclassified as an advanced category angler.

Bob also wins the advanced section with CPO Dave Hiller second with a point's score of 16, having fished 3 of the 4 matches.

As previously mentioned PO Trev Conroy won the Intermediate category with 21 points. 2nd in the Intermediate category was LMEA Matt Ostrowski (HMS Sultan) with a points score of 15 from 4 matches.

C/Sgt M Yardley (RM) won the Novice category with a point score of 12 and LMEA Russ Bates (HMS Sultan) was 2nd with a point's total of 11, both having fished 3 matches.

The first and second placed angler in each category will receive free membership to the RN and RM AA for the 2008 season, except Bob Yeomans, who kindly bestowed his free membership on the 3rd placed advanced angler, that lucky angler being POMEM Al Jones (HMS Astute).

A total of 54 anglers competed in the Inter Command League/Championships this year. With that sort of turn out over the year, it is surprising we struggled to muster a squad of only 13 for the Inter Service Championships (team of 12 required) and only 11 for the Division 1 National Championships (team of 10 required). Both of these events attract duty status for attendance and travel and with the RN and RM AA covering bait and day ticket costs, there is no reason why we should not see more volunteers for 2008.

WO1 Pete Edwards, Coarse Secretary