Inter Command League and Championship

The 2007 Inter Command League and Championship events were both won by the Naval Air Command. Plymouth Command were 2nd in both the League and Championship events.

Unfortunately the change of status of Angling reduced the 2008 Inter Command events to just two league events. The first round was contested at The Viaduct, Fishery, Somerset. POMEM Al Jones (HMS ASTUTE) won the individual event with a weight of 31lb; the NAC won the team event. 24 anglers competed in this round.

Round two was contested at Woodland Lakes, Nr Thirsk, N. Yorkshire. The weather certainly played its part and most of the field struggled to find fish in a feeding mood. CPO Nick Jones (HMS TIRELESS) found the fish willing to feed and won the individual event with a good weight of 48lb 2oz, well ahead of 2nd placed AET Jason Screen (HMS HERON) who weighed 19lb 8oz. The NAC again took the team honours. 27 anglers attended what was now the last Inter Command event of 2007.

The Inter Command Team Champions for 2008 are the NAC. Three individuals tied on a maximum 10 points, the final order being decided on weight, 1st with 40lb 9oz was POMEM Al Jones, 2nd CPO Nick White (HMS HERON) with 38lb 5oz, CPO Mick Ezard (HMS SPARTAN) was third with 27Llb

The loss of two Inter Command events this year has resulted in the league being contested over two rounds instead of three and the complete loss of the Inter Command Championships. For 2009 a new format for Inter Command events will, subject to approval, be trialled. It is planned to hold one event in the spring and one in the autumn, both events will be competed for over two days on different venues.

Overseas Challenge

The RN&RM AA once again competed in Holland at the Overseas Challenge. Although the fishing was difficult at times, some good individual results were recorded, but the team could only achieve a lowly 6th place out of 7 teams. C/Sgt Kev Hurst (CDOHELFORHQ) won the lake competition on mini Zalk weighing in over 100lb. Personal best Roach and Bream were recorded amongst the Navy and Marine anglers; WO Pete Edwards recording a PB bream of 9lb 10oz and PO Al Jones weighing in a roach well over the "magic" 2lb mark. The quantity of groundbait and caster required to compete on these venues is beyond anything experienced in the UK; daily 6 pints of caster and 10Kg of groundbait were needed just to be competitive.

Interservice Services Championships

For the first time in ten years the RN&RM AA are the Coarse Angling Inter Service Champions. The RN&RM AA scored a total of 27, against the RAF's score of 26; the Army were third with 19 points.

The RN&RM AA could also boast the top four individuals, who all won their sections: CPO Nick Jones 126lb, CPO Nick White 109lb, PO John Lambert (HMS SEAHAWK) 108lb and CPO Dave Hillier (HMS SEAHAWK) 99lb 11oz. John Lambert's weight included 100lb 5oz of "silver" fish, the first time the Viaduct has seen a silver fish weight of over 100lb. The other section winners were WO Pete Edwards 56lb and PO Richie Holmes (815 Sqn) 68lb.

Post AGM event

RN&RMAA Championships

This event was contested by 32 anglers over the weekend of 14 and 15 June at Poole Hall Fisheries, Alveley, Shropshire.

The fishing was again affected by the RN and RM syndrome! Great results recorded in the build up to the event, then come match days, the venue did not respond as expected.

The team honours were won by HMS SEAHAWK (Dave Hillier, Trev Conroy, Kev Walden and Brum Ashurst) with a two day points score of 50. CPO Tim Broughton (815 Sqn) won the individual event with a two day score of 16 points, no need for weight count back as Tim was the only angler to achieve two section wins and score maximum points. MACR (Master Aircrewman) WO Bob Yeomans (RAF) is Associate Champion with 15 points.

The event for 2009 will be held at Lemington lakes, near Evesham in June. Venue and date subject to confirmation.