The new format for the Forest of Dean Association of five rounds with split venues created a lot of interest with ten strong teams entering the fray at this competition.
The second place angler in C section, Chris Smith had just over 7lbs. On the opposite bank, Sam Prosser, who has only just turned fifteen, produced a super performance to take bream to 5lbs. Completing a "method" frame, was top rod Steve Seaborn who netted an excellent 28lbs+ from, what was on the day, a bad area.
At Drummonds, the A and B sections had strong gusting winds to contend with. Alan "Subby" Simmonds lead the way with a feeder-caught 17lbs of big skimmers from peg B64.
Garbolino-backed star Ian Didcote, also drew an island peg and took advantage with a section second. Ian was under a lot of pressure to perform and he didn't disappoint with a display of long-range method feeder fishing.
Wye Angling's Tony Summers took a net of mainly small skimmers topped up with roach, eels and perch mainly on the long pole from unfancied peg A25 on the roadside for a section win. Martin Chandler took section second from A17.
In the team stakes, the Glory Boys take an early lead closely followed by last year's champions, Wye Angling.
Drummonds – Sections A&B
1st Alan Simmonds (Iffers Red) Peg B64 17-0-0 ?2nd Ian Didcote (Pit Ponies) Peg B61 13-13-0 ?3rd Tony Summers (Wye Angling) Peg A25 11-9-0 ? 4th Nick Oakley (Glory Boys) Peg B55 10-13-0 ??Lydney Lake (C&D)??1st Richie Hoskins (Wye Angling) Peg C10 60-1-0 ?2nd Sam Prosser (Iffers Red) Peg D24 44-6-0
3rd Steve Seaborn (Wye Angling) Peg D31 28-9-0 ?4th Mark Hastings (Rebels) Peg D28 11-4-0
Team Result:
1st Glory Boys 32 pts
2nd Wye Angling 30pts
3rd Iffers Red 27pts
4th Forest Nomads 25.5 pts