Fresh from helping Drennan Barnsley Blacks clinch a long-awaited World Club Championship title in France, Alan Scotthorne revealed the role which the humble pinkie played in their success on a bloodworm and joker-dominated canal.

“Roach were the key to our success. We fed joker in a groundbait and dark soil mix at the start and for top-ups. But crucially, we also loose fed fluoro pinkies over the top. On Day 1 I caught 167 roach for 3.875kg, and all bar two of them came to pinkie hook baits,” disclosed Alan.

“Pinkies seemed to sort out slightly bigger fish than bloodworm on the hook. It’s a tactic that also works on deep canals in the UK,” he added.

Alan hailed Barnsley’s victory at the eighth attempt, following three bronze and two silver team medals over the contest’s 37-year history, as one of the pinnacles of his illustrious international career.

“I’m chuffed to death! This was a brilliant team performance over two days, the second of which was fished in horrendous winds. It was a very fair venue and we got everything right,” he concluded.