Sad day today as this is our last ever coach trip, something we have been doing for thirty years now comes to an end.
Spiralling costs, primarily of coach hire seeing it's demise.
Back to the fishing and we had sixteen anglers on the match, after boarding the coach at 5.30am, we made good time and arrived at the fishery for 7.45 where anglers tucked into a breakfast and picked up bait and supplies from the on site shop.
Alan and James organised the pegging and we got the draw sorted and with having to unload coach decided match would fish 10.30 - 3.30.
As it was the last match we also decided to do a free draw worth £50 which would give one lucky angler a free match. The lucky winner was Phil Clare, so congratulations Phil. We also drew Golden Peg something we do at each weekend match and today's recipient was Neil Davies, who unfortunately didn't manage to get the win so the money continues to roll over.
After a spell of rain till 10.00 it then brightened up and the rest of the day continued with sunny intervals with a brisk breeze at times affecting some parts of the lake, which was probably good giving a ripple across the water.
Alan won the match, his first Summer match due to commitments he has elsewhere and had a storming day bagging over 150lb, on the next peg James had a strong second place with 94lb 8oz and next to James was Phil Clare who also had a decent day finishing third with 78lb 5oz. All in all, a decent day.
We also had a pairs match within this singles match and was won by Adam and Alan, well done gents.
After the match we all went to the Greville Arms in Solihull for a bite to eat and a beer, followed by the two hour trip home, with entertainment from Joe Worsley who did 'thoughts of the day', in honour of our mate Roly (aka Paul Rowlands) who passed away recently. Thanks Joe, was appreciated by everyone. Thanks also to Neil who stood up and gave his thoughts on 30 years of coach trips, that too was appreciated.
During the evening we toasted absent friends, most recently Paul Rowlands as mentioned above.
We also thanked our coach driver for 20+ years, Colin Wibberley who's coach company up until last year transported us to matches up and down the country. He sold his company last year to enjoy retirement, although, he's still driving coaches for the company that bought his firm, so not exactly retired!
Thanks to everyone who has been on coach trips over the years, as mentioned, some are no longer with us in person, but we remember them fondly in our thoughts. To all the venues, all the pubs, it's been great, but sadly it has now come to an end.
The club will continue matches, but all will be car trips.
That's it for now, our next Summer League match is on 31st August where we will be at Heronbrook, so hope to se you there or on another match soon.
Tightlines
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