Corps Angling Championship 2021

Corps Coarse Angling Championships 2021

Scribe: WO2 (AQMS) Dave Goodall

With Covid-19 adversely affecting all sports over the last year, the REME Angling Championships was held in July 2021; returning back to a full five-day event.

Held at Larford Lakes in Worcestershire,11 Anglers arrived on the first morning and a detailed match brief was delivered to all attendees. The draw was completed the night before via social media to limit contact between competitors and this continued throughout the event. All participants were split into two sections across the lake for day one, with all matches being 5hrs long; fishing from 11001600hrs.

Day one was a silver fish (no Carp allowed). This was the only event won by myself with a weight of 47lb 14oz, with Cpl Chris Procter second with 38lb. The next two days were a pairs match and with 13 people in attendance, Mr Andy Clark (a former REME VM) was the lucky person who had two partners because of the odd number.

Day one of the pairs was won by Mr Robert Marsh (another former REME VM) with 58lb 8oz and myself second on the day with 49lb 15oz. Mr Andy Clark and myself were top of the table after day one and with it all to play for the next day, as the winning pairs would be by weight over the two days.

Dave Goodall’s collection of Silvers, Winner Day One Mr Andy Clark 2021 Corps Champion

Unfortunately, we were unable to keep hold of our narrow lead and Mr Robert Marsh and Cpl Ben Hickinbottom were crowned pairs Champions after the two days with a combined weight of 256lb 3oz with Mr Clark and myself second with a combined weight of 224lb 14oz. The individual winner on the day was Sgt Joe Beevers with 103lb 12oz and Mr Marsh second with 89lb 6oz. The next two days were the main event to see who would be crowned 2021 Corps Champion. With 15 people now at the event, day one was won by Sgt Robert Adkins with 128lb 6oz, closely followed by Cpl Ben Hickinbottom with 121lb 1oz. Day two would see several people still in with a chance of winning the event. Coming third overall for the 2021 Championships was Mr Dave Parkinson (a former REME Recy Mech) with 183lb 3oz, then in second place was Cpl Ben Hickinbottom with 229lb 11oz and the 2021 Champion was Mr Andy Clark with 244lb. The biggest thanks must go to The REME Sports Association and The REME Charity for its support in funding our sport. T his significantly offsets the cost of the event to each serving participant, encouraging greater numbers to attend. The Corps Championships proved to be a great success and introduced new members to the sport. If you are interested in joining the REME Coarse Angling, please contact WO2 (AQMS) Dave Goodall on David.Goodall722@Mod.gov.

Sgt Rob Atkins playing a fish Mr Robert Marsh and Cpl Ben Hickinbottom uk