…………..whilst the one match pool appeared to be in form, coughing up 100lb plus winning weights, the larger pool we were fishing had disappointed in recent weeks and it looked like 40lb would probably be more than suffice to win with 20lb back ups……….. 
I’d originally booked the venue on the recommendation of one of our members,
and with the number of possible members that could turn out, had elected to go for the larger Island Pool, with it’s 27 pegs, I say elected, but the decision was really a no brainer ::) ……….as usually we wouldn’t have all fitted on the smaller poolWith a growing casualty list few days before the match, I did consider the possibility of transferring the match to the other pool which could now accommodate our lesser numbers, but unfortunately that was a ‘no goer’as it was already booked for another club match :(
And the omens for the day reared their heads and got worse as Heinzer, picking me up, pulled up on the drive with a puncture.
Having emptied the car of his gear, the spare was ‘soon’ on, car reloaded and off we set slightly delayed via a shorter rural route to the fishery
On arrival we were greeted by a very pleasant sight - the pool we were fishing looked very picturesque, nicely maturing with islands and a scattering of inviting lily pads
27 pegs on the pool,
but peg 3 was ‘out of bounds’ with a ‘do not fish this peg’ sign as the platform had collapsed, leaving 26 for the pegger outers to go atAt the draw I learnt that 17 pegs were put in, leaving 10 (incl that peg3) vacant
With only 13 members (and no it wasnt a river match)
plus guest Goldenballs in attendance there was the chance of a spare peg or two going, giving a bit of extra room………..Brambles and Tommy Copper were sorted with their ‘short walk’ draws, whilst Harry & Phil B for some reason unbeknown to me, elected to chance their arms and dip from the ‘main draw bag’.
Soon everyone had drawn and there was only myself to go…………KOD jangled the bag under my nose, 4 pegs still in it…………..I swirled them about and pulled out a plum……….or had I? Our peg 6 for the day - didn’t mean a thing to me, didn’t know where it was, hadn’t a clue as to its form or what to expect.
Now let’s just say, ::) the stripes for this Bum Draw Master title have been earned on numerous occasions over the years…………….and on arrival at my peg, on gazing around I realised once again the reputation was spot on…………..
Under any other ‘normal circumstances’ I’d have said peg 6 (perm 7) was a decent, nay good draw
…………..but even when I draw a cock peg, fate conspires against me. I found myself totally boxed in, smack in in the middle of a ruck of anglers at that end of the pool. In fact 9 anglers were on the first 11 permanent pegs, leaving 5 anglers spread across the other 16 permanent pegs!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t believe me? I kid thee not - have a gander at these few snaps I took whilst people set up………,
From left to right - Heinzer on 5, Rich C on 4 KOD on 3, MrV on 2, Brambles on 1 and Tommy Cooper on ‘other end' oeg 17
And to my right, Cotti, HaHa and Harry on pegs 7,8 & 9
Get the binoculars out - you can just make out Big Geoff to the left in the distance - Yamo & Goldenballs are hiding somewhere
on the far bank out of view behind the islands
Another binocular job - Phil B is 'just past' the pads..........
I’d bought along the set up Shakey pellet wag, but knew in my heart of hearts, despite threatening to use it,
that it was a no goer - dunno why I even took it out of the holdall 
Now can I make it just clear at this stage that this aint a moan at the pegger outerers
- it’s an observation. I’ve stopped moaning at them some years back - after all, loads of anglers are never ‘satisfied’ with what they’ve drawn and could always do it better - but they never get up off their arses to ever do it - so fair play to those who do peg out, I’ll never personally gripe at you - thanks for bothering to do it in the first place. 
Let those who moan do it for a change. ::)Anyway,plumbing up I found nearly 3ft close in against the margin reeds and 7ft at 9 mtrs. Only problem at 9 mtrs was that I was sword fighting with Cotti to me left
who’s pole tip was actually past me……….and Heinzer’s float was only 6ft away too. 
The off and I was soon falling well behind as Heinzer snared some early skimmers. Other’s put fish in their nets, whilst 20 mins in and I was still dry.
As the day progressed I just couldn’t buy a bite in the margins……….well I tell a lie, I snared several 3inch perch on the meat along with a bonus 2oz roach, again on the meat.
No bites on the corn, just ‘indications’ - probably with hindsight either those perch sniffing out the bait, or the odd small silver having a peck - which was strange really cuss Rich C was hooking loads close in on the corn
…………..what was even stranger was that KOD was fishing the ‘same’ margin swim when Rich went to the other side or was unhooking one, but KOD just couldn’t buy a bite as MrV described it on his ‘cormorant’ flavoured corn 
Although we were tightly packed in at that end of the pool, as a saving grace it did enhance the banter - particularly as Mojoless Cotti proceeded to hook and lose 4 or 5 lumps
Nearing the end I realised it was the semi final of the knock out, but couldn’t remember who the other 3 semi finalist were.
All I thought was that if they were in attendance today I’d got no chance as I’d been battered all around me 
…………with the exception of Cotti who I thought I might still have the edge over.But with 5 mins to go, Cotti struck and landed a 6-7lb lump
that must have wiped me out as well as he chuckled to himself with what he called his ‘get out of jail’ fish Heinzer blew up for the end and I thought I might push double figures. Having said that I may have been over estimating, and if I only tipped 8lb on the scales It wouldn’t surprise me.
Anyway less of the lamenting
and on with the tale of the scales…………PEG PERM PEG
1 1 BRAMBLES 10.0.0
2 2 MR V 22.8.0
3 4 KOD 3.4.0
4 5 RICH C 20.0.0
5 6 HEINZER 15.8.0
6 7 TK 18.2.0
7 9 COTTI 11.4.0
8 10 HAHA 18.7.0
9 11 HARRY THE HITMAN 6.8.0
10
11 ? PHIL B 19.4.0
12
13 ? GOLDEN BALLS 30.0.0
14 ? YAMO 24.8.0
15
16 ? BIG GEOFF 30.0.0
17 27 TOMMY COOPER 5.4.0
Verdict?
Nice picturesque fishery - and as far as commercials go, it’s at the top end of the scale for me.
I’d certainly revisit it, just a shame it isn’t a tad closer. A few of the ‘usual’ rules, but you are entrusted to comply and left to get on with your match. Very pleasant owners too and whilst I’m on………….I’d actually paid upfront for 20 pegs. But with a poor turnout for this one the lady owner actually approached me before the off and returned £30 peg fees. A very nice gesture, similar to that I experienced at Hanchurch - two fisheries that get a big thumbs up from me Postscript
That semi - with fellow semi finalist Deadpeg pm’ing me that he couldn’t make it due to work commitments, only 3 semi finalists fished………………..Yamo, Phil B and yours truly……………..with that 33/1 outsider biting the dust
