Bates wins Tydd Gote's prestigious final

Tydd Gote AC hosted its prestigious Mega Match Final on Sunday.

More than 30 anglers, who had each made their way to the final through one of 15 qualifying matches, lined the banks above and below the Main Road bridge.

The COVID-safe rolling draw commenced at 7.45am, with everyone keen to find out where they would be pegged for the day, and hoping to be allocated one of the more favoured spots where the bream were more likely to feed.

But with the previous days providing a lot of cold water and a coolish blustery breeze, expectations were that the bream might not feed in numbers – and so it proved.

Out in front from peg two below the bridge was in-form Bob Bates who found a near 4lb tench and some quality perch and silvers to total 9lb 6oz for a narrow win over brother John, who snared a 3lb bream on his pinkie rig on peg seven.

He then added roach and skimmers for 8lb 6oz and runners up spot. Dennis Houghton was third on peg five with another tench, this one a good fish of close to 5lb with some perch and silvers for a 7lb 10oz total, just edging Paul Bawden on 34 who had 7lb 8oz for fourth.

Mega Match Final: 1. Bob Bates 9lb 6oz; 2. John Bates 8lb 6oz; 3. Dennis Houghton 7lb 10oz.

Wednesday Open: 1. Bob Bates 24lb 1oz; 2. John Taylor 20lb 8oz; 3. Dennis Houghton 12lb 5oz

Any enquiries about the club to Dick Paul on 07747824301 or about fishing the club matches to Pete Emery on 07947864889.