The footballers may have let us down but our country’s fishermen have restored some faith in national sport with a thrilling victory at the 2010 Coarse Fishing World Championships.
Sean Ashby ensured Drennan Team England returned to the top of the match-fishing tree in dramatic style with a 3lbs carp in the final few minutes of the final day to confirm their slender lead over the Italians.
The fish caught by Sean was enough to clinch the points and take England to gold, though it was a true team effort with valuable points in other areas of the tournament backing up this wonderful last minute catch. A section win from “super-sub” Stu Conroy, a second place for “Mr. Consistent” Steve Gardener and a third-place finish for both Alan Scotthorne and Des Shipp meant that England racked up enough points to knock the Italians down a peg to second place. Ah, shaddap you face!
Mark Downes, Drennan Team England International manager, said after the glorious win: “After being involved for 27 years I think this team is possibly the best ever produced by any country in World Championship angling. The commitment and dedication shown by the team members cannot be faulted and they deserve all the accolades possible.”
Sounds to me like if in four years time we are greeted with the same half-hearted effort from our national football team at the World Cup, then we could always turn our attention to fishing and Drennan Team England to bring glory back to the country, even if it is only Coarse fishing…
