BIRKENHEAD TOP PARK, 24/7/11 ~ We woz 'Robb'ed

A case of deja vu at the 'toppy'. As with our last match on there, the pools money was plundered by a guest. Cries of "we woz robbed" could be heard at the payout as visitor Paul Robb, a superstar on the local match scene, had fished a blinder to weigh 28lb 06oz of tench, crucians and skimmers, and claim the victory. Paul fished 16metres on pellet over micros and caught steadily all day. He's sportingly agreed to come to the next match so we can win the money back, so well done Paul.
The Master Catcher that is Kenny Stuart drew the worst peg on the lake (according to him), so amazing that he should return a similar catch to the winner, this time fishing 4mm pellet to the island, which was all of 5metres away. Ken weighed a level 25lb to take the runner-up berth. Nice one Ken.
Jamie 'pole swapper' Pickup fished his new Airity at 13metres and used groundbait with chopped worm n caster. Having filled his swim in with 10 balls at the start, it was 2 hours later that he started to catch. A skimmer dominated net went 24lb on the scales, and Jamie slid into bronze medal position. Good effort from JBay.
Gary Chambers wasn't pullin up trees for the first couple of hours but a change to maggot, fished shallow, found some quality rudd, which were the bulk of his 21lb 04oz and a well-earned section win.
Another case of  'If only...'
Yozzer fished his top 3 with 6mm pellet for a mixed bag and a total of 20lb 06oz, which secured the other section.
Another lottery peg nailbiter as Ken Pickup had guessed 30lb. Oooo  so close, and to heap further misery on poor Kenny, he was booted out of the K O by Sumo. Well done John, a glimmer of hope for you.
Generally a decent match although a few pegs did fish poorly. It certainly makes a change from chasing carp.

HAMPTON SPRINGS, WILLOW, 17/7/11 ~ King Henry beheads the Gnome

17 members gathered in the car park on a wet and miserable morning. General opinion was that Jamie and Yozzer should be there abouts at the end as they had been fishing Hampton regularly for a while now.
The early part of the match saw most struggling to hit the many bites provided by miniscule skimmers and cruies, not to mention micro mirrors. Slowly but surely the better fish put in an appearance, and a few anglers started to put a weight together.
Phil Henry only joined the club a month ago but already he's showing his talent. Following a win at Yewtree last time, he again came out on top with a carp and chub based net, caught on 16metre pole to the island, and weighed 52lb 15oz. Could soon be calling him Phil 'mynets' Henry, well done.
The Gnome demonstrated that practice makes perfect... ok nearly, as he came a close second with a level 52lb. In contrast to Phil, he caught on a top 2 kit, bringing crucians, tench, skimmers and carp to the net using pellet and corn.
Agonisingly close in third was Neil 'the niblet' Paterson, who didn't quite use enough corn as he registered 51lb 14oz of margin carp. Big fella done good, but he was surrounded.. Quote..." by a load of fat useless c%*^s".
Lee was the top Pickup this week, and won a section with another excellent carp catch which went 48lb 05oz. Nice one Lee, you should travel alone all the time instead of gettin duff info off your travelling companions.
The other section winner was the quiet man, Arthur Roche, who weighed in with 33lb 07oz of meat loving carp from down the edge. Well done Arth, when is the football starting?
Spare a thought for Steve Coleman, who drew the lottery peg and guessed 51lb......really a case of close but no cigar!
All in all another good eggy match with everyone catching a few, maybe we're not all muppets after all.
NOTE: Baden next week (24/7/11) has been cancelled and the venue is now Birkenhead Top Park at 8am.