In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, Wakefield AC has claimed victory in the Angling Trust Division Two National Championship. The result marks a significant achievement for the newly formed club which was established 18 months ago. Wakefield finished second in the Winter League Final before dominating this weekend’s competition, held across the Aire & Calder and New Junction Canals.
A Gold Medal Performance
Competing against 24 other teams, Wakefield secured 67 points from its ten anglers. That score put them seven points ahead of Bait-Tech North, who took second place. NuFish Selby rounded out the podium in third, just one point shy of silver.
Danny Myers emerged as the standout individual performer, winning the match with a weight of 14.600 KG. His haul included a mix of bream, roach, and skimmers caught from peg 74 in C section at Rawcliffe Bridge. John Christey from WICAC Jacob’s team finished in second with 11.600 KG, while Dave Binns of the CRT Staff team took third with 11.400 KG.
Path to Promotion
The victory in the Division 2 National also served as a stepping stone for promotion, with the top ten teams qualifying for next year’s Division One event. Joining Wakefield, Bait-Tech North, and NuFish Selby in the promotion are Pelham AC, Spotted Fin Normanton, Prince Albert AS, Matrix Halifax, Cadence North West, Nytro Team Central, and CRT Staff.
| Position | Team | Points |
| 1 | Wakefield AC | 67 |
| 2 | Bait-Tech North | 74 |
| 3 | NuFish Selby | 75 |
| 4 | Pelham AC | 76 |
| 5 | Spotted Fin Normanton | 85 |
| 6 | Prince Albert AS | 92 |
| 7 | Matrix Halifax | 115 |
| 8 | Cadence North West | 116 |
| 9 | Nytro Team Central | 119 |
| 10 | CRT Staff | 119 |
| 11 | Wellingborough DAA | 122 |
| 12 | Colmic Bait-Tech Northants | 124 |
| 13 | CRT Let’s Fish Emerging Prospects Red | 127 |
| 14 | Ramsbottom Angling | 142 |
| 15 | Barnstone AC | 145 |
| 16 | Hull Works Sports Association | 145 |
| 17 | WICAC Jacob’s, | 148 |
| 18 | Loughborough Soar AS | 150 |
| 19 | Garbolino Team Gloucester | 151 |
| 20 | Radcliffe-on-Trent AS | 153 |
| 21 | CRT Let’s Fish Red | 160 |
| 22 | Let’s Fish Ladies | 160 |
| 23 | CRT North West Coaches | 160 |
| 24 | Let’s Fish Yorkshire Coaches | 189 |
| 25 | CRT Let’s Fish Emerging Prospects Blue | 201 |
Strategic Team Selection
Faced with two distinct venues, Wakefield’s strategy involved selecting different teams for each location. Five anglers focused on the bream-rich Aire & Calder, while the other five specialized in targeting small fish on the New Junction. Skipper Neil Stead emphasized the importance of adapting to the unique characteristics of each venue.
Wakefield’s strong showing was further bolstered by notable performances from John Ibbotson, Matthew Mollart, Simon Wain, Steve Barraclough, and Matt Anderson, all of whom contributed valuable points to the team’s overall score.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on their success, Stead expressed excitement for the team’s future and highlighted the youthful makeup of the squad, with half of the members under 31 years old. Despite being favourites before the competition, the team experienced a moment of uncertainty regarding their scores, only to celebrate a well-deserved victory.
The individual medal race was primarily concentrated in two sections of the Aire & Calder Canal, with Myers’ performance at peg 74 proving crucial. He skillfully combined feeder and pole fishing techniques, demonstrating the need for patience and strategic baiting throughout the match.
Individual Standings
| Position | Anglers’s Name | Weight (KGS) |
| 1 | Danny Myers, Wakefield AC | 14.600 |
| 2 | John Christey, WICAC Jacob’s | 11.600 |
| 3 | Dave Binns, CRT Staff | 11.400 |
| 4 | Dave Ashmore, Pelham AC | 10.750 |
| 5 | Andrew Swift, Nytro Team Central | 10.480 |