So often, the big money finals are all over bar the shouting with a few hours to go, as an angler motors into an unassailable lead – but not in this one!
In fact nobody, not even the anglers themselves, knew who had won and taken the £50,000 cheque. The battle boiled down to three men pegged on the spit between the Little Adam’s and Big Adam’s pools at Hayfield Lakes – Mike McMillan, Jamie Hughes and Andy Bennett.
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Most had Hughes down as favourite after McMillan’s early charge fizzled out. But tucked on the end of the spit, away from prying eyes, Bennett was working his magic to weigh in 57 kilos of carp, more than he and everyone else thought he’d got.
That installed him as the frontrunner with Hughes the only man who could catch him. Totalling just over 50 kilos, Jamie’s race was run to leave Andy the winner of a title he’d been after for many years.
“I didn’t feel I’d won, so I was quite relaxed about it all. But when I totalled 56 kilos, things changed. I felt it was going to be incredibly close between the two of us,” Andy recalled.
“Jamie said I’d beaten him, and when he finished with 50 kilos, I was 99 per cent sure I’d won.
“I’m made up to win it, as alongside Fish O’Mania, it’s the event we all want to win.
“After many finals, you sometimes think it won’t happen. To have that trophy in my hands is something I’ve been after for many years!”
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HIGHLY COMMENDED - FISH O'MANIA FINAL
We were spoilt for close finishes in big finals this year, with the Match This showpiece not the only event to go right down to the wire. At a rain- lashed Westwood Lakes, the battle for the Fish O’ crown was won and lost in the closing stages too!
Matty Dawes emerged triumphant, holding off a strong charge from Andy Power to win the title and £50,000 cheque by just over four kilos. However, he had nervy final 30 minutes.
That was because Power was catching him up, while Matty’s swim showed signs of fading. A couple of margin fish in the final 10 minutes were enough to get the new champ over the line, but even so, it was a nervy wait for confirmation!
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