LATHOMS No1, 9/11/14 ~ And a good day was had by all

Following a week containing the first frosts of the autumn, and a full moon too, it would have come as no surprise had Lathoms been a bit of a struggle. However, it fished right up to it's best as everyone managed 20lb, with 8 out of the 12 attending breaking through the 35lb barrier.
Excellent fishing for all and some classic head to heads to boot. In the 1st section, another example of the sportsmanship expected within the club.... Steve Cookie monster started well while on the next peg, Patty Paterson didn't. Knowing the fragile nature of the jolly one, Cookie had a quiet word, told him to chill and re-evaluate, and pretend it was a pleasure session. Taking the advice on board, Neil adopted tactics which had served  him well during a two-week holiday, relaxed, and started to enjoy a pleasant day's sport. At the end, Cookie managed 38lb, while helping Pato to a brilliant, section winning 50lb 01oz. A big well done to both.
The other 3 section winners filled the podium places.
Yozzer kept it simple and fished maggot on the deck for an impressive 77lb 10oz.
Gary Brislen kept up good recent form, weighing 54lb 09oz, which secured victory in another hard fought head to head with Dennis Jones. Both men seemed to match each other fish for fish. One would catch a few shallow while the other one struggled, then they'd get a few deep and so the battle went on. Dennis eventually buckled and his 44lb wasn't quite enough, but a great effort by both.
In the final section, Sumo started like a house on fire, and once again another fishery record seemed to be under threat. Next door, Lee Pickup made sure John didn't get it all his own way, and they too had a ding dong shallow fishing contest. Just after the half way mark action started to slow. This coincided with Dave Lynch starting to get a few. He steadily began to claw his way back into contention, and rumours of illegal groundbaiting spread across the match length. Sumo's head went and Lee started to feel the pressure too. The truth is that Spadger decided he was going nowhere fast with the approach he had taken, so decided on a change. Loose micros were bringing fish up in the water causing too many problems .A liquid flavouring was added to the pellets, they became sticky, and small balls could be formed, which took the fish back onto the deck. Hey presto! bag-up time.
The scales revealed a surprise. Sumo, long time favourite , had 37lb 05oz, he was beaten by Lee, who weighed 46lb 12oz, but that late burst when the 'groundbait' took effect had edged Spadger into a section winning position with a superb 50lb 02oz. That man Percy Verance strikes again.