UK CHAMPIONSHIPS FIRST RD

[joffmiester]

Reading rod leads UK Championship.
Paul Holland has won the opening round of the Preston Innovations UK Angling Championship, with a 68 kilo 500g bag of carp and F1s from peg 14 on Maver Larford's Match Lake.

The Preston Innovations and Sonubaits ace took victory by the narrowest of margins, after beating Shimano Dynamite rod, Nick Speed by just 820 grams.

He explained: "I had a lovely day, catching a few fish on pellets short, before moving on to a long pole line, where I caught some fish on caster shallow, and hard pellet on the bottom.

Fishing light was key, though I had to be wary not to fish too light on the short pole line as I had a big reed bed to contend with! For this reason, 0.11mm Reflo Power was used short, and 0.10mm long.

It feels great to have finally won a round of this competition, I have finished second twice in the past, and also third overall in the competition - but hopefully a win in round one will get me off to a good start, and I will be able to go all the way this year!"

Second place Nick Speed had an enjoyable days fishing from end peg 2 on Match Lake,but a slow middle hour cost him victory. He commented: "To be honest I was dissapointed with the result in a lot of ways, as I expected more from the peg - but that is fishing. I had a slow middle hour, and to lose out by such a narrow margin was very disappointing. Still, it was nice to pick up second place, and a good start to what is a fantastic competition."

1 Paul Holland (Preston Innovations/ Sonubaits) 68-500
2 Nick Speed (Shimano Dynamite) 67-680
3 Jamie Hawkins (Ringer Baits) 46-870

Section Winners:

Lee Wright (Matrix Dynamite Trentmen)
Paul Holland (Preston Innovations/ Sonubaits)
Craig Elkin (Matrix)
Richie Hull (Garbolino/ Dynamite Baits)
Darren Cox (Garbolino)
Geoff Vallance (Preston Innovations/ Sonubaits)
Jamie Hawkins (Ringer Baits)
Matt Blackmore

[lloydy]

2 lost skimmers cost me a section win but 3rd is a good start