LINGMERE, 15/12/13 ~ Derek has a grueller but struggles to victory

Never forget, there's always someone less fortunate than yourself. Having spent the match on the top lake with the wind directly in my face all day, and managing a bite an hour, I had the dubious pleasure of doing the weigh-in. 
Starting on the top lake, Dennis Jones had the best weight with 9 F1s for a 16lb 10oz total. A great performance in the circumstances. Pato had 11lb 09oz (that's good for him), and Paul Dennett had 13lb 04oz, which won them a section prize each. Well done to both. At the other end of the spectrum, the Pickups had 'nightmares', with Lee doing the walk after 3 biteless hours, and Jamie returning 8lb odd, which was scant reward for 5 hours at 18 metres (crackpot).
Onto the bottom lake, and seemingly things were no better with Daddy Pickup winning the first section with 13lb 14oz. Might be an idea to peg him by the lads so he can help them out during future matches.
Arriving at Derek Warren's peg, and after giving a tear-jerker account of how he'd struggled to see bites in the wind (gentle breeze compared to the top lake), and couldn't present his bait, he put his fish on the scales. Having used 6 tissues to dry our eyes, the dial read 37lb 12oz. Wow! Some of us never had bites to spot. Congatulations Degs, a fine win.
Seems like this was the only worthwhile section on the day, as Dave Norman finished overall runner-up with around 29lb, and Sumo eased into third with his 21lb. Good efforts from both, but alas, no coin, only the satisfaction of a good day's sport. I wish.....