In an impressive turn of events, Daiwa Gordon League has clinched victory in the Angling Trust Division One National, which took place on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Lancashire. This win is particularly significant as it marks a nostalgic return to a venue where they last celebrated success over twenty years ago, prompting many to reflect on the role of destiny in their achievement.
In individual performances, Shaun Bryan from Lobby’s Tackle demonstrated his prowess in a tightly contested match against Paul Sanderson of Drennan Leicester in section D. Bryan’s weight of 15.950kg narrowly surpassed Sanderson’s 12.250kg, while Lee Kerry, the captain of Drennan Barnsley Blacks, secured third place in the same section with a weight of 9.800kg.
Gorden League Preparation Pays Off
With an impressive total of 124 points amassed by their ten anglers, the champions finished a mere four points ahead of Drennan NW, who secured the silver medal. Preston Innovations Delcac rounded out the podium with a commendable 130 points, earning them the bronze.
For Gordon League, the strategy centred on adapting to the canal’s unique conditions, focusing on catching bonus fish during the early and late stages of the match, supplemented by smaller fish using a groundbait technique. Consistency was paramount, as the pegs were generally average, with no section winners but also no significant setbacks on the scorecard.
Mark Treasure, the team’s skipper, expressed pride in their preparation:
Shaun Bryan Celebrates Long-Awaited Victory
After a five-year hiatus from winning matches, Shaun Bryan has made a triumphant return, spectacularly clinching the National title. The former Gloucester rugby player showcased his angling prowess by weighing in 15.950kg of bream and skimmers from peg 37 in section D at Appley Bridge, a small turning bay known for its potential.
Bryan shared the bay with Paul Sanderson, who also performed admirably, finishing second with 12.250kg of bream and skimmers from peg 36. Despite the peg’s promising history, Bryan was initially apprehensive about the bream’s feeding habits. However, his confidence grew as the match progressed, leading him to a well-deserved gold medal.
Bryan had this to say about his individual victory:
The peg appeared ideal, but there’s always that nagging doubt about whether the fish will cooperate. I started short, targeting smaller fish, but then switched to the long pole using a classic Gloucester Canal bait—a worm tipped with a maggot or pinkie. Almost immediately, I caught a big skimmer, and for the next couple of hours, the fishing was excellent.
When the bites tapered off, I worried that my chance might slip away again, especially after finishing second on the Trent a few years back! At that moment, I noticed Paul next to me casting a feeder and catching a bream. I had a rod ready, so I followed suit and managed to catch one too! That gave me a much-needed boost, and I kept the momentum going.
I still can’t believe that after such a long time without a win, I’ve come back to claim the National! What a fantastic way to return!
Angling Trust Division 1 National Championship Standings
You can view the full match result on the Hot Fishin’ website. The result table includes both team and individual angler standings.