The Ashford Cup 2004.

Harleston Junior Angling Club's annual summer open attracted a superb turnout of twenty-seven anglers including a strong contingent from Kings Lynn AC led by NFA coach Robbie Williams and two anglers all the way from Reading. With the large high-class field and bright conditions this four-hour match held in Weybread Club pit was a fiercely fought competition, finishing extremely close with the top four at the final whistle only separated by one good fish.

Harleston Junior team captain, fifteen year old Charlie Hodd from Wingfield led by example holding his nerve and sticking to his plan to beat off a strong Challenge from defending champion Gavin Woodward and visiting angler Danny Kew to win his first open at the club.

Charlie drew peg 7 on the end of the bar a noted hotspot and produced a superb performance fishing thirteen metres of pole up tight against the island to steadily catch carp on pellet hookbaits loose feeding lightly over top with pellet. After two hours his swim died on him but he kept his nerve and stayed focused even after Gavin Woodward took the lead early on with a blistering start, he stuck to his plan to add three more carp in the final hour to finish with nine carp for 26lb 8oz just enough to beat Gavin Woodward into second place by two pounds.

Reigning champion Gavin Woodward had to settle for the runners up place after another good performance fishing his favourite method feeder tactic tight up to the far bank cover on peg 9. Gavin caught well at the start taking five big fish in the first two hours to open up a good lead on the competition only to see his swim die whilst the rest of the field slowly clawed back the deficit for a nail biting finish. His five fish pulled the scales round to 24lb 10oz again only two pounds separated him from Danny Kew.

A brilliant pole fishing performance from visiting angler Danny Kew fishing for the crack Kings Lynn club saw him beat the locals for a well-earned third place on a water he had never even seen before this match. Danny fished pole and pellet making use of the margin cover on peg 15 to land three big fish early, a change of tactics to long pole saw him add three more and a big rudd to weigh 22lb 1oz.

Diss club champion Ricky Leggett made the most of un-fancied peg 20 on the high bank to land three big carp late in the match for 19lb 5oz on long pole and pellet.

Young James Lowe followed up his mid-week win with another good performance finishing fifth with 16lb 5oz of carp and bits from corner peg 8 on short pole.

Harleston Junior Angling Club would like to thank all the visiting anglers for their support to make this competition such a success.

Full result

1. Peg 7 Charlie Hodd 26lb 8oz
2. Peg 9 Gavin Woodward 24lb 10oz
3. Peg 15 Danny Kew (Kings Lynn AC) 22lb 1oz
4. Peg 21 Ricky Leggett 19lb 5oz
5. Peg 8 James Lowe 16lb 5oz
6. Peg 5 Travis Woodward 13lb 5oz
7. Peg 28 Kieron Loane 11lb 3oz
8. Peg 16 Ian Lange 10lb 13oz
9. Peg 14 Sean Blackshields 7lb 15oz
10. Peg 31 Caden Spooner 7lb 13oz
11. Peg 13 Matt Spurling 7lb 9oz
12. Peg 17 Andrew Clifford 7lb 5oz
13. Peg 4 Thomas Sage 7lb 3oz
14. Peg 3 Daniel Rust 7lb 1oz
15. Peg 18 Craig Blackshields 6lb 10oz
16. Peg 32 Edward Howman 6lb 9oz
17. Peg 6 Jack Weatherley 6lb 6oz
18. Peg 2 Alex Bates 5lb 1oz
19. Peg 27 Harry Marsh 3lb 13oz
20. Peg 30 Kayleigh Williams 3lb 7oz
21. Peg 23 James Collings 2lb 13oz
22. Peg 22 Charlie Oakes 2lb 7oz
23. Peg 26 Philip Shulver 2lb 3oz
24. Peg 11 Louis Harrison 1lb 5oz
25. Peg 10 Liam Osbourne 1lb
26. Peg 12 Liam Ford 7oz
27. Peg 29 Robert Stevens DNW

Match Facts.

Attendance : 27
Venue : Weybread Club Pit
Weather : Warm and sunny.
Total weight : 221lb
Average weight : 8lb 3oz
D.N.W : 1