The one consistent theme in this year’s Drennan Pairs League has been the foul weather! Again on the final Sunday, gales, rain and chocolate-coloured water greeted the slightly depleted field.

I think just about everyone has had enough – but maybe not rising star Alex Bates who has made this series his own. Two outright wins, a section first and a third propelled him and partner Steve Slater to league champions.

Alex’s latest win came from a peg by the town bridge; always a good area in difficult conditions. Short lining breadpunch at five metres, he set about the hoards of small roach that frequent this area. Three hundred fish later, his 17lb was more than enough for a comfortable win.

Ten pegs below Alex, Rob Wootton was fishing a steady match and putting together a net of stamp roach – around 80 fish for 13lb 6oz and runner-up spot.  Third in ‘A Zone’ was John Taylor (pegged next to Alex) who had 12lb 12oz of small roach, again on the bread.

B Zone was awful! Graham Barry easily claimed victory with just seven roach for 2lb 13oz, while runner-up Martin Roper had just 12oz, followed by Steve Hemingray with 10oz!

On the league front, the top six pairs were paid out with cash and prizes. Well done to all the anglers who took part in an excellent series and a big thanks to all the sponsors!

Final Round Result:

A Zone
1st A Bates (Maver Bait-Tech) 17lb
2nd R Wootton (Shimano) 13lb 6oz
3rd J Taylor (Sensas Mark One) 12lb 12oz

Sections
1st J Bates (Sensas Mark One) 10lb 2oz
2nd S Winter (Drennan) 12lb 4oz
3rd B Nudd (Browning) 8lb 10oz

B Zone
1st G Barry (Bait-Tech) 2lb 13oz
2nd M Roper (Sensas Mark One) 12oz
3rd S Hemingray (Drennan) 10oz

Sections
1st N Newby (Sensas Mark One) 9oz
2nd B Harding (Maver Bait-Tech) 8.25 oz
3rd B Wiggington (Bait-Tech) 3.5oz

Pairs
A Bates & S Slater 17lb 1oz

Final Standings:

1st A Bates & S Slater (Maver Bait-Tech) 107lb 7oz
2nd S Winter (Drennan) & M Griggs (Middy) 100lb 7oz
3rd W Swinscoe (Drennan) & C Jenkinson 94lb
4th P Chesterton & A Ogilvie (Maver Bait-Tech) 83lb 1oz
5th S Willsmore (Drennan) & M Buchwalder (Preston) 78lb 11oz
6th D Burns & C Bate (Colmic) 73lb 12oz