Penn Sea League 2017

The latest results from Britain’s biggest event for shore match anglers

Results for the start of the new season.

THE 40TH AMBLE OPEN Seahouses to Lynemouth, Northumberland, 503 anglers

After the huge seas of previous days, expectations were high for this big open rover, but the massive catches did not materialise. However, with 102 anglers weighing in fish, there was a close finish.

Amble AC member Gordon Holland was first to weigh in a decent bag, with two codling for 13-9-12 from Marden Rocks, including what turned out to be the event’s heaviest fish, a codling of 11lb 15oz 12dr.

Later in the weigh-in, Redcar angler Chris Westgarth, a former England junior angler, produced four codling for 13-10-8, his best 7lb 10oz, taken from Seaton Point, and secured a narrow win.

As a nominated Penn Plus match, this event provided points for the top 10 anglers.

n Result: 1 Chris Westgarth, Redcar, 4 fish, 13-10-8 (50pts); 2 Gordon Holland, Amble AC, 2, 13-9-12, also heaviest fish, 11-15-12 (49); 3 Ben Laws, Whitby, 7, 9-14-0 (48); 4 Peter Jackson, Widdrington, 2, 8-13-4 (47); 5 Callum Murton, Filey, 2, 6-10-12 (46); 6 Steve Williams, Jarrow, 4, 6-8-12 (45); 7 Keith Bathgate, Edinburgh, 5, 6-8-0 (44); 8 Robbie Gray, Widdrington, 2, 6-0-4 (43); 9 Andrew Hooper, Boghall, 3, 5-14-8 (42); 10 Dan Bennett, Whitby, 1, 5-14-0 (41).

ASSO TWO-DAY OPEN Hythe Parade, Kent, 224 anglers

Two anglers finished level on zone points in this popular event, which attracted 112 angles each day, and were only separated by fish points.

Securing the win was Andrew Dugdale, from Peel, Isle of Man, who edged out Belgian visitor Fillip Gallens. On Day 1 Andrew was second in zone B at peg 44 with 14 fish for 251pts, and on Day 2 he was second in zone D at peg 97 with 10 fish for 118.

Fillip won zone A on Day 1 at peg 18 with 14 fish for 155pts and was third on Day 2 at E121 with four fish for 83pts.

Third place was also decided on fish points and went to Mark Sharman with five zone points and 333 fish points. He was third in zone B on Day 1 at peg 44 with 12 fish for 248pts and finished second in zone E, peg 133 with 7 fish for 85 on Day 2.

n Result: 1 Andrew Dugdale, Peel, 4 zone pts, 369 fish pts (20 Penn pts); 2 Fillip Gallens, Belgium, 4, 238 (19); 3 Mark Sharman, Pakefield, 5, 333, (18). Sections – Day 1, Lee Adams, B55; Nathan Elliot, Dover, C67; Darren Brookes, Hastings, D86; Nick May, Hastings, E132; day 2, Steve Adams, Shotley, A3; Ollie Hopkins, New Milton, B46; Richard Cleal, Charmouth, C81; Rex Palmer, Hastings, D110; Neil Stephenson, Grantham, E138 (all 10).

COUNTRY STORES FLOUNDER FESTIVAL Bynea to Llangennech sewerage works, Loughor Estuary, Carms, 136 anglers

Fished in two zones, this heaviest flounder match saw the £500 first prize go to Darren Gregory, of Cwmbran, with a 0.765kg flounder.

The event raised £655 for the Welsh FSA youth team.

n Result: 1 Darren Gregory, Cwmbran, 0.765g (13pts); 2 Steve Carmichael, 0.695kg flounder (12) 3 Lee Warlow, 0.690kg (11).

WYVERN OPEN Slapton Sands, Devon, 128 anglers

The South West’s first major event of 2017 was fished in calm conditions, which produced fewer fish for this specimen contest.

Winner was John Pollard, of Plymouth, with a combination of a 1.390lb dab and 1.395lb dogfish for 194.50% to win £200.

Second went to Mark Barnett, of Kingsbridge SAC, with a 2.295lb dogfish and 4.515lb spotted ray for 182.01%, while Fred Ullah, of Torquay, was third with a 1.395lb dogfish and 11.865lb