BEN2011FinalThis year the annual International challenge between the UK Sea Anglers Match Federation (SAMF), Vlaamse Federatie Kusthengelverenigingen (VFK/Belgium) and Sprtvisserij Nederalnd (Holland) for the Alan Gilbert Memorial Trophy was hosted by the Belgians at Knokke Heist and Wenduine on 14-16 Oct.  The event competed by 15 man teams comprised of 2 x 4 hour matches.

Day 1 saw the teams fishing at Knokke Heist.  Colour in the water from previous blustery weather was clearing fast and did not bode well.  However, this match included 3 hours of darkness and hopes were still high.  Species caught included Bass, Cod, Dab and Flounder.  After
the first hour reports of fish were rare but as darkness settled in things improved.  Catches were not great and unfortunately there were a few blanks. The Dutch emerged as overall winners of the first match with 289 points, SAMF followed closely with 316 and Belgium 3^rd with 427.  Top angler on the night was Saul Page from Kent representing SAMF with 7 fish from A zone for 3.077Kg.

Day 2 saw the teams competing at Wenduine in glorious sunshine.  Despite the weather anglers soon started landing fish  including Dab, Flounder, Bass, Rockling and a surprise Eel.  Once again top rod on the day was Saul Page from SAMF with 12 fish for 2.326Kg.  Once again the competition was tight with SAMF winning the day on 298 points and Holland 2^nd with 345.  Belgium again finished 3^rd
with 392.

The overall winners of the challenge and retainers of the trophy were SAMF on 614 points.  Runners up were Holland on 634 with Belgium
3^rd on 819.  Top individual was Saul Page with an outstanding performance winning both days and finishing on 2 points.  Runner up was
Benjamin Vlietinck of VFK with 7 points and 3^rd was Martyn Reid of SAMF on 10 points.  Top Dutch angler was Peter Mesie on 19
points.

SAMF thank their Belgian hosts for yet another superbly organised event and great hospitality.  The 2013 Challenge will be held in Holland on the beaches of Zeeland.  If you are a SAMF member and  wish to be considered for this event please contact: either the Secretary or myself.

Darren Phillips

Challenge Match Orgainser

SAMF/BELGIUM/HOLLAND CHALLENGE 2010 RESULTS

The 2010 Challenge was held in Lymington 2- 3 July.  This year the 15 man teams competed for the Alan Gilbert Memorial Cup, a fitting tribute to Alan an England International and regular member of the SAMF Team.

Match 1 was competed at Milford Shingle Bank.  Weather conditions were ideal with light winds and sunshine.  A total of 81 fish were landed and consisted of Bream, Bass, Garfish, Mackerel, Pollack, Undulate Ray and Wrasse.  Top angler on the day was Ian Golds from SAMF who registered 6 fish for 171 points from zone B.  Heaviest fish was a Ballan Wrasse of 90 points landed by Darren Newlands at his first appearance in this event.  SAMF emerged as day winners with 269 points followed by Holland on 372 and Belgium with 407.

The second match took place at Pennington Sea Wall.  Bright sunshine and a strong North Westerly wind posed far from ideal conditions.  However, the teams landed 108 fish, mostly Bass but there were a few Bream along with a Golden Grey Mullet, a Flounder and a surprise Pipefish.  Top individual on day 2 was Dutchman Remi Lindhout who landed 6 fish for 90 points from zone C.  The heaviest fish was a Golden Grey Mullet caught by Rudi Jacobs from Belgium.  SAMF won the day with 318 points with Holland very close behind on 338 and Belgium with 380. 

SAMF were overall winners on 587 points, Holland 2^nd with 710 and Belgium 3^rd with 787.  Mrs Jane Gilbert, the Guest of Honour presented the cup and medals to SAMF team member Mike Perfect one of Alans oldest friends and regular fishing partner.  The top individual over the 2 days was Ian Golds from SAMF who won a rod kindly donated by Anyfish Anywhere.  SAMF would like to thank the Stewards and the staff of the Elmers Court Hotel.  The next event will take place in Belgium 14- 16 October 2011.

Top Ten Individuals

The team for the 2010 SAMF Challenge Match will be as follows:
Darren Phillips, Ian Golds, Darren Newlands, Malcolm Stote, Andy Dawkins, Brian Dawkins, Mick Perfect, Chris Snow, Ian Bowell, Steve Durrant, Garrie Forster, Franco Antonosio, Andy Young, Julian Shambrook and Mark Pinder
Reserve: Michael Groves.
The 2010 Challenge match will be held 2 – 4 July.  We will be competing for a new Trophy in memory of Alan Gilbert who sadly passed away last year.  Many of the anglers who have competed in this event in the past will have fond memories of Alan,  It is hoped that we will be competing for this trophy for many years in the future.  I am sure you will agree that this is a fitting tribute.  The trophy will be presented to the winning team by Alan’s widow Jane.
The venues will Hurst/Milford shingle bank and Pennington sea wall both are in Lymington Hampshire.  Bait will be supplied and will consist of Ragworm and Mackerel.  Species of fish likely to be caught on the first match at Hurst will be Bream, Pout, Gurnards, Scad, Garfish and Smoothounds.  Day 2 at Pennington will be mostly Bass and Bream but Flounders and Mullet may also be caught.
Bait will be 1lb Ragworm and 1 packet of Mackerel for day1 and 1lb Ragworm for day 2.

Accommodation will be at the Elmers Court Hotel, Lymington, Hampshire. 
 
Friday:
Overnight accommodation. 
Saturday:
Full English Breakfast
Private use of the Banqueting Suite for your Gala
3 Course Gala Dinner (set menu)
Typed menus, seating plan provided by the hotel
Overnight accommodation

Sunday:
Full English Breakfast
Depart at leisure

The provisional itinerary as follows:
2 July
1330    Teams meet at hotel
1400    Draw pegs.
1530    Bait collection and depart for venue 1 Hurst.
1700    Start of match 1.
2100    End of match 1.
3 July
1130    Bait collection and depart for venue 2 Pennington sea wall.
1330    Start of match 2.
1730    End of match 2.
2000    Meal and presentation.
 
Belgium Team:
Devisch Joeri
Demulder Ronny
Vervynckt Noël
Wintein Daniël
Timmerman Koen
Lierman Joseph
Devisch Geert
Verkest Marc
Burggraeve Roland
Jacobs Rudi
Westijn Jacques
Dentant Renaud
Teunesen Robert
Vlietinck Benjamin
Vantorre Eric
 Holland:
Sjaak Verburg
Wibo Boone
André Piters
Rob Punselie
Rob Slingerland
Ronald van Os
Bernard Boschma
Remco Geuze
Jan Hennekam
Wilco Keur
Remi Lindhout
Frank Dekker
Johan Rombouts
Henri Karremans
Matthijs Koole
Frank van Schilt (captain)
 
Darren Phillips
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