There were huge expectations of an English victory in the second ever Feeder Championships fished on the rowing course in Ghent, Belgium and England had been highly successful early on in the year after sending two teams to compete in an invitation match in which they finished first and second – so they were quietly confident and hoping for a gold medal.
During practice the squad caught more than any other team and were convinced that they had got their tactics spot on. The venue had been used for previous championships with both Junior and Veterans competitions being held there when lots of bream and roach had been caught.
England Team Manager Tom Pickering and Coach Glenn Lawrence’s approach was obviously to target these species and they had devised a team plan to fish bloodworm and joker in mid canal. With competition fierce for the five team places it was a difficult decision for the management and Tom decided that he would be reserve for the first day.
England finished joint 5th after day one with 32 section points, 9 points adrift of leaders Ukraine.
Day One England Individual Results
Section A. Steve Ringer 3 points, Section B. Phil Ringer 1 point, Section C. Mick Vials 5 points, Section D. Dean Barlow 3 Points and Section E. Darren Cox 19 points
Day One Team Results
1. Ukraine 23 points
2. Hungary 25 points
3. Holland 26 points
4. Belgium 30 points
5. England 32 points
6. Austria 32 points
With only nine points separating the top five teams it was obvious that England could make the podium with a second day improvement and that’s exactly what happened. Tom Pickering replaced Darren Cox and, using the same tactics as day one, the team came back with 29 points and second on the day to Holland who had 27 points.
Day Two England Individual Results
Section A. Phil Ringer 7 points, Section B. Steve Ringer 3 points, Section C. Tom Pickering 7 points, Section D. Mick Vials 5 points and Section E. Dean Barlow 7 points.
Day Two Team Results
1. Holland 27 points
2. England 29 points
3. Russia 31 points
Overall team results
1 Holland 53 points
2. Hungary 58 points
3. England 61 points
4. Ukraine 67 points
Individual Results
1. Attila Erdei – Hungary 3 points
2. Arnout van der Staat – Holland 4 points
3. Andrea Caruso – Italy 5 points
England manager, Tom Pickering commented:
“Whilst we were disappointed in not winning gold this result will stand us in good stead especially after last year’s failure in Italy. All the team will have benefited from a second year’s international experience and a podium finish will have boosted their confidence. Both Glenn Lawrence and myself are looking forward to next year in South Africa when the competition will take place in November on the Bloemhoff dam.”
Dick Clegg, Angling Trust International Events Manage,r was delighted with the professional approach of both management and team members and stated:
“The team performed exceptionally well and with a little more luck could have easily won gold. International fishing is all about gaining experience and I believe that this team will eventually become World Champions.”
