The 2012 SALC Home international Shore Championships took place at Samphire Hoe Kent 6- 7 Jul. The match saw Great Britain and Irelands top anglers battle it out among the rocks and weed of the Channel Tunnel spoil site. Species caught included Wrasse, Pout, Pollack, Bass and Dogfish. The total number of fish landed and returned by the 12 teams of 5 over the 24 hour matches was 718.
The Angling Trust’s England Junior team consisted of; Callum Graham, David Morris, Harry O’Neil, Martin Smith, Daniel Stote, Connor Hallett (Reserve) and Mark Hurcombe (Manager). England Youth Team were; Jake Butcher, Michael Brookes, Michael Dawkins, Jack Hayes, Oliver Hopkins, Ben Harrison (Reserve) and Julian Shambrook (Manager). England Senior team were: Garrie Forster, Gareth Griffiths, Rob Marshall, George Smith, Dave Lane, Bill Lindfield (Reserve) and Bob Gascoigne (Manager).
Day 1 saw Scotland take the lead in the Seniors event with 15 points. Top angler on the day was Scotland’s Scott McNicol who landed 12 fish for 329cm from A zone. England took the honours on the first day of the youth event with an impressive 19 points out of a possible 20. It was once again a Scot in the form of Colin McGarva who was the most successful on the day landing 8 fish from A Zone for 166cm. England juniors also won their first event with 15 points. Top Junior on the day was England’s David Morris winning C Zone with 10 fish for 229cm.
The second day brought an improvement in the weather. The senior event finished with Scotland, Ireland and England all finishing the day with 13 points. The constant pressure on the venue for the days preceeding the championships saw the numbers of fish to be caught dropping. Top angler on the day was Ireland’s John Bermingham landed 9 fish for 220cm. In the youth event England once again finished on top with 16 points. Scotland’s Joe Turner led the field on the day landing 10 fish for 249cm. In the Junior event England equalled the bench mark set by their older comrades on day by dropping only 1 point and taking the day on 19 points. The juniors were fishing an area previously un-fished and this showed in the catches. England’s Callum Graham, the current Junior World Champion won the day with 18 fish for 382cm.
The Angling Trust would like to thank all those who have supported the England teams including Tronix Pro, Kamasan, Anyfish Anywhere, Outcast and Moonfleet Angling, Dragon Baits once again did us proud supplying top quality top quality bait for the event. Thanks also go to Peter Owen of Folkestone Angling Centre, the staff of the Grand Burstin Hotel and finally to the stewards whose professionalism was a credit to themselves and to English match angling.
Final Results:
Seniors
Gold – Scotland 28 points
Silver – Ireland 27 points
Bronze – Wales 23 points
D/ Bronze – England 21 points
Youths
Gold – England 35 points
Silver – Scotland 23 points
Bronze – Wales 20 points
D/Bronze – Ireland 20 points
Juniors
Gold – England 35 points
Silver – Ireland 25 points
Bronze – Scotland 24 points
D/Bronze – Wales 17 points