Brown is in red-hot form at Heronbrook
In-form Penkridge bagger Dave Brown weighed in to claim top prize in the Graham Bowers Memorial Festival.
The three-day contest was staged at Heronbrook Fisheries in Slindon, near Eccleshall with Brown (Preston Innovations) edging a keenly-contested event.
Brown won his section each day to join three other three anglers on a perfect three-point score. The winner was decided on weight countback with Brown’s combined tally of 469-10-0 pushing his teammate Robbie Griffiths (448-7-0) into second. Third place went to Derby visitor Richard Bacon (373-6-0).
Brown topped his section on day one on end peg Bridge 9, catching shallow on poled caster down his left-hand margin with a few on his top two plus two with luncheon meat out in front. He caught two carp with the rest of his 158lb 8oz being F1s.
On day two, he drew Match Pool peg 17 where he had a decent first four hours on his way to a 97-10-0 haul.
He needed a good peg on the final day, and the fish gods were favourable handing him Meadow peg 34 from where he landed a match winning 213-8-0.
Eighty prizes were donated by local tackle shops and Wolverhampton firm Wilwright Electrical & Mechanical Contractors donated £300 so that everyone concerned could have a free meal after the match.
Angling coaches Andy May, Jamie Hughes, Neil Machin and Robbie Griffiths all donated a free coaching day each as prizes too. Over £700 was raised for the Air Ambulance and Finley’s Charity.
Some good weights were returned at the Sportsman AA Open on the Owen Street length of the Birmingham Main Line Canal in Tipton.
Bloxwich’s Martin Owen (Sensas Black Country) just edged it on peg 12 where he poled caster and red maggot for a rewarding 21-4-0 consisting of a welcome 3lb bream plus skimmers to 1lb.
Wombourne’s Ray Campbell was the main man in the Wolverhampton Over 60s Club Open on the Albrighton Anglers Water of the Shropshire Union Canal at Mucky Lane in Wheaton Aston.
Campbell (Sankey’s/Goodyear AC) taking the top spot on peg one by the bridge with 9-0-0.
Wednesfield-based Mel Wood (Four Ashes AC) took second with 7-0-8, ahead of Ray Bates (6-9-9).
