Davey Turnbull nets Whitby Sea Anglers Association Christmas Match victory

A welcome change in the weather welcomed the 15 seniors, and two juniors fishing the five-hour members Christmas Whitby Sea Anglers Association match, followed by a Sunday lunch and presentation at The Wilson Arms, Sneaton.

ESEasterly winds were 17mph, and two to three feet of easterly swell (depending on chosen mark) with colour.

The WSAA Christmas match winner Christmas Match Davey Turnbull is presented with his trophy and £50 cash prize by treasurer Dave Perrett. Photo by Peter Horbury

placeholder image — The WSAA Christmas match winner Christmas Match Davey Turnbull is presented with his trophy and £50 cash prize by treasurer Dave Perrett. Photo by Peter Horbury

The match started at 2pm giving two and a half hours of flood, and the same of ebb.

There were a couple of short rain showers but nothing to dampen the festive spirit.

WSAA Christmas Match Heaviest Fish fell to Denis Thompson, Lythe, 4 lb 3 oz, presented the Michael Deadman Memorial Trophy, and £50 by Rich Deadman, right. Photo by Peter Horbury

Weigh-in closed at 7.45pm with 12 of the 17 rods having something to weigh-in. In total 18 rocklings, 12 codlings, six whitings and three bleggs - 38 lb 4 oz, giving a match average of 1 lb.

The captor of the Heaviest Bag of Fish receives £50 from match entries, and the Christmas Match winner was Davey Turnbull, Darlington, with three codlings for 8 lb 15 oz, his best being 3 lb 15½ oz.

Treasurer Dave Perrett awarded Davey his £50 match winnings and the Christmas match trophy.

The Heaviest Fish fell to Denis Thompson, Lythe, 4 lb 3 oz, and he was presented the Michael Deadman Memorial Trophy, and £50 by sponsor Rich Deadman.

Thereafter members picked from the prize table, including those who did not catch (drawn from names in a hat), and then the raffle. No-one went home empty-handed.

December Sweeps: Heaviest Bag of Fish - Davey Turnbull - 8 lb 15 oz (3), Heaviest Fish - Denis Thompson - 4 lb 3 oz.

December’s catch: 99 whitings, 18 codlings, 22 rocklings, 12 bleggs, 7 dabs, 2 haddock, & 1 LSD for 108 lb 6 oz Average 11 oz.

Results: - 38 lb 4 oz (Average 1 lb) 1st - Davey Turnbull - 3 codlings 8 lb 15 oz, 2nd - Denis Thompson - 2 codlings, 2 rocklings 6 lb 15 oz, 3rd - Rob Taylor - 4 codlings, 1 rockling 5 lb 13 oz, 4th - Peter Horbury - 10 rocklings 3 lb 10 oz, 5th - Jason Ebison - 2 codlings, 3 lb 2 oz, 6th - Dave Perrett - 1 codling, 1 blegg 2 lb 14 oz, 7th - Dave Ward - 5 whitings, 2 lb 11 oz, 8th - Brian Harland - 1 blegg, 1 rockling 1 lb 8 oz, 9th - Paul Short - 2 rocklings 1 lb 1 oz, 10th = Col Stainthorpe - 2 rocklings 10 oz, 10th = Mike Saunders - 1 whiting 10 oz, 12th - Keeley Fairbanks - 1 blegg 7 oz