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MATCH NEWS
Who’s the No1?
Shakespeare will have to fight it out on the Grand Union at Loughborough.
AT Team Champs semi-final line-ups Saturday, March 7 Northern semi – Hampton Springs Teams: Chester Tackle Locker, Maver Midlands, Saints, Sam’s Tackle & Bait, Ted Carter Preston, Ted Carter Southport, Tri-Cast Highfield, Western Tackle & Bait Sunday, March 8 Midlands semi – Grand Union Canal, Loughborough
Teams: Browning Hot Rods, Daiwa Trentmen, Fox Match Stanjay, Fox Match Tipton Van Den Eynde, Leicester Sensas, Shakespeare, Trabucco, Tunnel Barn Bandits Midlands semi – Grand Union Canal, Milton Keynes Teams: Chiltern Baits, Drennan Oxford, Fox Match Black Horse, Kamasan Starlets,
Sensas A4, Team SPRO Southern semi – Kennet & Avon Canal, Bathampton Teams: Bathampton Avon Aquatics, Daiwa Gordon League, Devizes Angling Centre, Fox Match Arun, Garbolino Blackmore Vale MG, Guildford Angling Centre, Preston Innovations Thatcher’s, SPRO Dorset Raiders
Shakey eye glory on Grand Union Canal West Mids side aims for a return to glory days By Richard Grange richard.grange@bauermedia.co.uk
“We’re as strong as we were in the 1980s.” That’s the battle cry of Shakespeare Superteam skipper Mick Hatchard ahead of this weekend’s Angling Times Team Champs semis matches. Then, the nation’s best will by vying for a coveted spot in the big final and the ‘Shakey’ lads will be one team to watch. Fol low i ng a pa i nst a k i ng rebuilding over the last decade, absorbing the major switch from big matches on rivers to
canals and commercials, the West Midlands aces, famed for being the first ‘professional’ team back in the late 1970s with the likes of Ken Giles and Clive Smith, are now gunning for some big-time silverware. According to Mick, this year’s Team Champs is the one they desperately wa nt to w i n, although like many with similar ambitions, one major obstacle stands in their way – Daiwa Dorking. Mick believes his side are equipped to bring down the all-dominant Surrey side, though. Their first task will be qualifying from what on paper is the toughest semi of them all on the Grand Union Canal
at Loughborough. “It’s the hardest semi, and there will be four teams that w ill threaten – ourselves, L e ice ste r, T re nt me n a nd Tipton,” Mick said. “The build-up has been tough bec au se t he weat her h a s prevented the canal showing what it can do. Saying that, we’re winning the league on the canal so we are in touch with the venue and we’re probably one of the best canal squads in the country. It’d be crazy if we didn’t fancy it.” Qualify and the final awaits where presumably the likes of Dorking, Barnsley and Starlets w ill lie in wait. However,
Shakespeare are aiming to reach the final on the Nene.
Sha kespea re have been knocking on the door with five final appearances in the last six years, finishing second in 2006. They have the men, but Mick reckons a touch of international class would be that missing
ingredient that has so far seen the trophy elude them. “Breaking into that top three is our next job, but we’ve never been stronger, and each year that passes sees us grow,” he added.
Who’s the best angler in the East Midlands? That could be decided by the upcoming the East Midlands Match Champs! Running over six matches at commercial fisheries around Leicester, the top six anglers from each match qualify for the grand final on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, at Mill on the Soar Fishery. Before that, though, come the qualifiers. These are between 25 and 30 pegs with tickets £10 to pre-book, plus £17 on the day, the draw for each match at 9am. For details, ring Townsend Tackle on 01162 126684 or Scottie on 07768 636947: Qualifier dates: March 21 – Mill on the Soar Fishery; March 29 – Holly Farm Fishery; April 5 – Holly Farm Fishery; April 12 – Holmes Farm Fishery; April 25 – Peatling Pools.
Barns clash
The Barns Fishery isn’t one of the South West’s best-known waters, but it might be after this year’s Kernow League. To be held on two lakes at the Newquay fishery over May 2, 3 and 4, the event is open on a first come, first served basis to the first 36 anglers to book in with entry at £55 plus an optional £15 superpool. For details, contact John Forster on 07727 024037.
Memorial date
Hillview Fisheries boss Keith Hill is to hold a special memorial match in memory of Stourbridge angler Tony Parker, who has lost his battle against cancer. One of the Midlands’ top match anglers over the years, Tony, 66, was a member of the Lifestyle match squad and also a regular at the Tewkesbury water. Keith has had donations of cash from regulars at the fishery, which he is to use to place a memorial bench and plaque behind one of Tony’s favourite pegs at the fishery. The date of the match will be announced shortly.