ENGLAND TAKE GOLD IN HOME NATIONS BOAT CHAMPS

Memories of last year’s Sea Angling Liaison Committee (SALC) Home Nations Senior Boat Champs silver were banished by the Angling Trust Tubertini England team at the weekend, as the seven-man squad saw off the challenge of Wales and Ireland to be crowned champions!

Fished on marks off the Welsh town of Milford Haven across two days, England finished the competition on top with a 1014.81% score, clear of Wales in second on 922.01% and Ireland in bronze on 881.46%. There was also an individual medal as Mike Lelliot took silver behind Welsh rod Phil Clarke, Irishman Mark Devir filling the third-place spot.

Fielding a team of Mike, Gary Geoghegan, Martin Bobbett, Chris Rodgers, Ed Taylor and Cliff Newbold with David Cogger as reserve stepping in for Gary on day two and John Bellamy at the managerial reins, England got off to winning ways with first place after day one, scoring 500.69% against the 450.94% of Wales and Ireland’s 441.53%. Day two went much the same way, England racking up 514.12 % to win the day, Wales again in second on 471.07% and Ireland third with 439.93%.

Percentages were awarded to each angler based on the amount of fish points they had scored and where that put them on their respective boat. Top points scorer on each boat was awarded 100%, the next best seeing their points score converted into a percentage (for example, 80 fish points scoring 80%.) Different fish scored higher or lower points, so targeting and catching the right species was definitely the name of the game!

“What a fantastic week we’ve had – we took the opportunity to practice a month earlier and the lessons learned clearly gave us a strong foundation to work from,” said Manager John. “We were all very focused and determined to support each other with whatever information we could uncover. This team first ethic displayed itself when unfortunately, Gary Geoghegan fell ill on the Friday evening and Dave Cogger stepped in. It was a seamless transition and Dave produced a superb score on the day, supported by his boat partner Mike Lelliot magnificently. The other pairings of Ed Taylor and Cliff Newbold and Martin Bobbett and Chris Rodgers proved equally effective as all the pairings won their respective boats. It was a pleasure to manage such a great group of anglers!”

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Final result:

1 Angling Trust/Tubertini England, 1014.81%
2 Wales, 922.01%
3 Ireland, 881.46%

Individual result:
1 Phil Clarke, Wales, 200%
2 Mike Lelliot, Angling Trust/Tubertini England, 185.16%
3 Mark Devir, Ireland, 179.83%