British Disabled National

Heavy Motorway traffic held up Stefan Gent on his way to the British Disabled Angling Association National Championship final held on Preston Innovations Woodland View, but even a late arrival could not stop the Bury based England International from landing the title and leading a North West whitewash.
Stefan (Fisherman¹s Way) blasted out 56lb 11oz of carp from Front Deans on the Worcester complex, to lead a North West snatch of the major prizes that saw Rochdale rod Martin Kershaw finish second and Salford angler Mike Tooley third.
Stefan 34, a member of the England International squad described his win as the highlight of his match fishing career, “even better than fishing for England,” admitted the Mancunian who pocketed the trophy and £400 of the £1,355 paid out on the day.
“Qualifying from more than 300 anglers across the country for a final is one thing, to win it outright is the best thing that could have happened to me,” said Stefan. “This morning I thought I was going to miss it altogether because I was late leaving home and then got caught up in traffic. I was so late someone had to draw for me, and I didn¹t fancy the peg when I finally got to it.”
Once there however Stefan took no time in getting to grips with the situation, constantly baiting with corn and meat at 11 metres he started quietly with just three carp on his pole rig in the first hour, but when the fish arrived he made the most of their arrival by hauling in specimens to 8lb.
Runner-up Martin Kershaw 46, fishes for Tight Lines, Shaw and netted his 48lb 6oz catch from Back Deans on Pole fished maggot and corn to net £240, Mike Toole from Salford, Greater Manchester is part of the influential Oldham Owls squad and won £175 for landing 45lb 14oz.

Result: 1 Stefan Gent (Fishermans Way) 56-11-0; 2 Martin Kershaw (Tight Lines, Shaw) 48 – 6 ­ 0; 3 Mike Toole (Oldham Owls) 45-14-0; 4 Nigel Milnes (Barnsley) 40-6-0; 5 Ron Hayes (Wigan) 32 – 0- 0; 6 Roy Powell (Manchester) 30-4-0.