This year's event was contested on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union. Obviously the RAF's choice, as we all recognise they are good canal anglers and consequently they always choose venues which can accommodate their strengths.

Official practice was reduced to two days as the RAF claimed getting time off was now difficult. However, as Sunday was the first official practice day, the Army and RN utilised Saturday as an unofficial practice day. We obviously chose the best section (Section C) to practice on, as weights were very good with a large number of big skimmers being caught; weights ranged from 3lb to 12lb. The draw for sections for official practice saw us draw Section B and C for Sunday and Monday respectively, so no practice on A Section.

Section B was "nails", with 3lb being top weight!! 1lb being a good weight. A plan was forming. This was confirmed the following day on a revisit to C section, the furthest end peg produced the goods with another good weight of 14lb, but small fish could not compete, even if one bonus fish was caught on a neighbouring peg.

Due to the large number of bonus fish present and with little experience and knowledge within the team to base our attack on a small fish squatt approach, we decided that one bonus fish of 1.5lb would give us a good chance. The plan proved to be right, except the bonus fish did not show, typical!!

Bob Yeomans was 2nd individual with a weight of 16lb 11oz from peg 3 in A Section. The individual winner was a young Army angler, pain Gent, with 21lb 4½ oz from end peg C12. Apart from these good top weights, a lot of three man sections were being won with just 1lb, which fully justified our team plan. Unfortunately, we were last with 17 points, Craig (Whiskey) Walker, won his Section and Dodge Duan was second in his section, the rest of us were last. The Army pushed the RAF close with 27 points to 28.

Our choice of venue next year, so you can guess it will not be a canal!! Several venues are being considered, but access to sufficient accommodation is the key to venue choice.