11/06/2026
The swindlers took themselves off to Holly Farm for today’s match to fish as a memorial for much missed member Tony “Twonets” Eustace.
Tony’s lovely wife Sandra had also donated some prizes for the competitors, three trays of Tony’s paste rigs and a 12’ carbon active feeder rod. Very much appreciated Sandra, thank you on behalf of the club and all the lads.
Only eleven on the match, it should’ve been twelve but one member, who shall remain nameless, was grounded by Mrs Rouse ahead of their holiday. So eleven it was, a nice number to peg as there’s 22 available pegs giving the members at least one empty peg beside them.
Holly Farm is a lovely little venue and one where Tony himself enjoyed plenty of success, I recall him winning from peg 10 in the bowl and his favourite, peg 7, all using his famous paste of course, always hard to beat was Twonets.
The pegs in the hat for the match were 1,3,5,7,9,10,12,14,16,18 and 20. Bob Pearce drew the MOs peg and handed him number 5, a lovely draw full of features. Bob unfortunately unable to fish due to a bad back.
Other notable pegs had some superstars on them, in form peg 3 had super Kev Clarke on it, peg 7 had the pleasure of the bookies favourite Craskey. Stuey on peg 10 in the bowl and Andy the meat Holland with loads of room to the island on 20, hopes were high for a decent match.
Weights weren’t quite as good as we’d hoped though, despite the room, there’s been a temperature dip and lots of cold water has gone in over the last week, but I still thought it would’ve been better.
Peg 3 has won a few of the matches here recently, usually on the tip, and Kev Clarke made no mistakes catching good stamp fish steadily all match for 90lb 10oz, and not a tip rod in sight! All Kev’s fish fell to corn or paste on the pole.
Nearly half the weight of Kevin in second, Holmesy on peg 5 weighed 49lb 6oz thanks almost entirely to the last 90 minutes, the features held no fish and all of his weight came from carp on his skimmer line on soft pellets.
The bookies favourite Craskey completing the frame from peg 7 with another late show giving him 43lb 13oz of tip fish from the edges.
A cracking day out despite the weathers best efforts to dampen the spirits.
At the payout, the pegs went back in the hat, Kev, the winner on the day, drew peg 7 and Craskey added a tray of Tony’s rigs to his third place. In turn Craskey drew peg 5 and Holmesy helped himself to a tray too! Holmesy then drew peg 12 and John Bond has the last tray of rigs and he in turn drew peg 10! Unbelievable our Stuey, even when he loses he wins one of Tony’s feeder rods! It was a great laugh and Tony would’ve loved it without a doubt.
Thanks to Pete Harwood for booking the venue and the swindlers for paying for the match. Holmesy for running it and Kev, Andy and Stuey for weighing in. Special thanks again to Sandra and Tony’s family and the kind donations, it meant a lot for us all.
Upcoming matches…
Sunday 14th SL8 at Meadow Farm, draw 9am fishing 10 to 4pm. Please book in with Kev Tear.
Tuesday 16th, MADAC evening river series match 1. Draw in the car park at 5pm fishing 5:30 to 8:30. Don’t forget your own nets!
