Heavy overnight storms meant the fishing was difficult for some on the Angling Trust Veterans National at Tunnel Barn Farm. However with; High, Extension, New, Canal, Club and Jennies in there was a bit of space to get the fish going.

The incredibly consistent Harry Billings took the honours from the 140 strong field for the third successive year! Peg 28 on New Pool was his home and Harry adopted a shallow Maggot approach to catch 113lb 14oz mainly F1s and small carp, what an achievement.

Runner up John Berry also broke the ton barrier in tricky conditions, carding 104lb 8oz of F1’s from House pool peg 16. This narrowly edged out Steve Richards on High Pool, who put together a respectable 103lb 2oz in the five hours.

Overalls

1.Harry Billing 113-14
2.John Berry 104-8
3.Steve Richards 103-2
4.Steve Johnson 98-12
5.Michael Edge 96-4
6.David Turner 87-8

Medal WInners (30 peg Sections)

Harry Billing
John Berry
Steve Richards
Nick Bryan
Philip Auger

Section Winner (10 peg sections)

R Clegg P Hillier
J Berry S Johnson
A Wright H Billing
S Richards F Rozs
J Waterhouse N Bryan
R Coniff S Nattrass
P Auger K Emlyn
T Wood

Thanks to Mike, Sarah and the whole team at Tunnel Barn Farm for presenting the fishery in an excellent manner and to all the Angling Trust volunteers for match day administration.

Next years Veterans National will be at Decoy Lakes on Wednesday 29th July and will have a slightly reworked format based on the demand we’ve received. Next year there will be two age groups 55-65yrs and then 66yrs and above, with two separate winners crowned.