LATEST ADDITIONS

Tom Scholey on what the Angling Trust do right. As any regular readers of my blog will know, in the past I have been quite critical of the Angling Trust and some of its competitions. I make no apologies for that, because as a journalist with an interest in match and pole fishing it is my job to highlight issues and problems as they arise. However, perhaps one thing that I am guilty of is not giving praise where it is due for some of the better ideas and events that the Angling Trust has come up with.

River competition receives £4,000 boost. The Angling Trust has announced a new £4,000 sponsorship deal with Thames Water and Severn Trent Water that will see both companies backing the Trust's RiverFest 2013. The sponsorship will ensure that there is a prize pool of at least £24,000 available to anglers competing at the grand final, to be held on the River Wye on November 16th and 17th, 2013. This is already the largest payout for a river match in the UK and could rise further to £26,000 if the remaining qualifiers sell out.

Buchwalder leads as fish play hard to get. As the second day of the Drennan Knockout Cup Final passes its halfway point, Michael Buchwalder still holds a comfortable lead over his rival, Lee Kerry. On the day, Michael is thought to be leading with 35lb to Lee's 29lb, though the venue is believed to be fishing hard. With Michael also holding a lead of 65lb from yesterday's match, Lee's chances of taking the title are decreasing by the minute.

Ultimate Barnsley Blacks blitz Preston World Club Classic. Ultimate Barnsley Blacks have won the fourth Preston Innovations World Club Classic, which was fished on the Great Ouse at Littleport in Cambridgeshire this weekend. The match – which is contested by the 10 highest finishers in the Division One National, gives the winning team a place in the World Club Championsip next year, and a cheque for £7,000, courtesy of the sponsors Preston Innovations. Barnsley’s team – which was made up of Alan Scotthorne, Lee Kerry, Matt Godfrey, James Dent, Sam Wildsmith and Steve Barraclough won nine sections out of a possible 12 over the two-day event – beating second-placed Daiwa Dorking by a seven-point margin.