There’s no stopping the Drennan Barnsley Blacks juggernaut right now. The team added yet another major trophy to their already bulging 2025 cabinet with victory in the Angling Trust Team Commercial National. The event was held over the weekend at Drennan Lindholme Lakes in Doncaster.
The Angling Trust reported a tightly-fought contest between 21 of the country’s top club sides. Barnsley edged out the competition with a 30-point team score. That was enough to beat last year’s champions, Team UK on 33 points. Nytro Quaker followed closely behind in third with 35 points.
This victory marks a remarkable treble for the Yorkshire-based team, who’ve already claimed this season’s Angling Trust Winter League and the Sensas Challenge titles. They’re not done yet – the World Club Championship in Ireland is next on the radar.
Skipper Matt Godfrey led by example with a section win. He was joined by teammates Andy Geldart and Rob Swan, both of whom also took their respective zones. Across a complex venue that fished patchily in places, the Barnsley Blacks leaned on their experience and tactical flexibility. They favoured natural baits to pick off everything that swims, not just the usual carp and F1s.
Jim Hall Tops Individual Podium
Individually, it was a standout day for Team UK’s Jim Hall, who made the most of a plum corner draw on Strip Lake peg 1. Fishing maggots short and long to the end bank, Hall netted an impressive 80kg 775g of carp and F1s. That was enough to secure the individual gold medal by a clear margin.
His teammate, 2020 FishOMania champion Harry Bignell, wasn’t far behind, taking silver with 68kg 125g from the arm of Bonsal Lake using shallow tactics. Young England international Alfie Swieton rounded out the podium, bagging 68kg 075g of big F1s from Loco Lake on the Jigga.
Podium Teams Celebrate
- 🥇 Drennan Barnsley Blacks – 30 points
- 🥈 Team UK – 33 points
- 🥉 Nytro Quaker – 35 points
Eyes on the World Stage
For Barnsley, the attention now turns to the World Club Championship at Inniscarra Reservoir in July, where they’ll represent England alongside Daiwa Gordon League. With three major wins already under their belt, they head into the international event brimming with confidence.
It’s been a near-perfect season so far for the Drennan Barnsley Blacks – and it’s only April.
Were you fishing at Lindholme or cheering from the bank?
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