Congratulations Dave!… A superb display of match angling over the two days saw David Atkins presented with the Ron Thompson Trophy.
After a tough first day at Marske where Dave worked hard for a second in section weight of 35lb:06oz from peg 23 – including the biggest fish of the day, a carp of 17lb:03oz – Dave had been drawn on peg 6 on Hutton front pond – which had fished poorly by its usual standards on day 1 – But with a change in wind direction and a rise in temperature Dave was able to use his experience to keep fish coming for an outstanding second day weight – including tench, bream and carp – of 84lb:08oz for a winning two day total of 119lb:14oz to get his name on the trophy for the first time.
Once again, double winner of the event, Anthony Smith, made the frame – this time in second place – taking a first day total of 25lb:14oz to Hutton back pond, peg 5, Anth put together a superb weight of 74lb:03oz for a combined total of 99lb:07oz in a match that went down to the very last minutes.
In third, Scott Johnson brought an overnight lead of 41lb:14oz from marske to peg 18 on Hutton front pond. After losing early fish Scott landed 47lb:10oz of massive carp for a total of 89lb:08oz and the loudest round of applause at the presentation in this, his dads memorial match.
Honourable mentions from day 2 at Marske to Mike Dawson who took section 1 targeting the reservoirs huge bream with a fantastic bag weighing 48lb:06oz and 4th place overall with 77lb:14oz and to section 2 winner Peter Helm on peg 23 who’s weight of 41lb:10oz included a beautiful common carp of 21lb:03oz hooked with only minutes to go!
Congratulations once again to Dave – he is no stranger to success in match fishing but we know it will mean the world to him to have his name on Rons trophy – and to Anth, Scott and all section winners and runners up – and well done to all who participated in what was once again a fantastic competition, it is a pleasure for Dale and myself to organise and run this event in memory of a great man supported by a great set of lads.
Updates from the Ron Thompson Competition weekend are available to members on the private members Facebook Group.
Dale Conway & Phil Dunne – M.A.C. Committee
