Twenty two members gathered in Swanmead car park to await the socially distanced draw for the 2020 Tonbridge Angling Christmas Match. The air was cool but still and filled with festive anticipation for the ensuing day’s fishing. The early morning sky punctuated with the odd cloud radiated with a crimson hue that set the horizon on fire, was this a warning of the calm before the storm?  Pegs established and the programme for the day conveyed, the match men set off to their prospective swims to prepare to do battle.
The river was in fine fettle after the temperate rains the previous week with a steady flow and a good colour to give the quarry the confidence to feed.  As the starting whistle approached the anglers had time to tackle up and prepare for the pending onslaught as the sky gradually filled with dark foreboding clouds and the wind began to pick up. On the whistle baits were tentatively cast and the initial response was positive with small Roach eager to feed, but the bounty slowly ground to a halt within the first hour.
The rain was now persisting and the wind was playing havoc with umbrellas. Peter Hole had the task of grappling in the brambles to retrieve his and John Cooper gave up with his excuse of a brolly and resigned it to the scrap heap! Meanwhile Bob Doyle was wrestling to hold his in position as the rod tip pulled round and although a good fish was felt the late strike did not set the hook and after a short battle the quarry made good its escape. The intrepid anglers endured the rigours of the weather as the bites became few and far between, but rumours were abound that one competitor was fairing rather well.
The anglers were relieved the hear the final whistle to put an end to a miserable session and as the scales preceded along the river bank many of the catches were scant reward for a hard days fishing with a few small Roach and Gudgeon featuring prominently in most catches with the odd quality Roach and a few skimmers here and there.  Then there was match supremo Peter Groombridge, no stranger to winning the odd match or two, who absolutely emptied his swim of quality Bream to put a magnificent 79lb 2oz on the scales to win the match.  In a not so close equal second place was steady match maestro Roger Trask and occasional match ace John Cooper who managed to put 4lb 8oz of mixed silvers apiece on the scales. In fourth place was “good ol London Lad”, Colin Fowler, who managed to put 3lb 1oz of mixed silvers on the scales.
John cooper was drawn on the golden peg and although managed an equal second placing, he missed the prized bounty by a mere 74 lb, better luck next time.

There were also plenty of section prizes to ease the pain of the day and a mystery draw bonus won by Peter Hole. All in all a very tough day but the banter was flowing and match captain Martyn Hill bolstered spirits with his usual enthusiastic mix of muses and distractions.  The field retired a little damp and bedraggled but good humoured and full of festive spirit. Well done and Merry Christmas to you all.