Thales Match Report 2024

The deserved victor, Mark Bowden

There were a few spots of rain as we met for the annual Thales Match, and it had been a wee bit cold overnight—not your typical early July day. However, being in the North West of England, it was not entirely unexpected.

This year’s Thales match was particularly exciting as it gave Pete Boyce a chance at a historical double, having won the Windmill match just the week before. Prior to the match, Andy Southern was consulted for his advice on which pegs to include based on the results from the Windmill match. He suggested leaving out the dam peg, but his advice was initially overlooked. However, the results eventually vindicated Andy’s original judgment.

The match saw some impressive catches. Mark Bowden emerged victorious from the boat peg with a total haul of 24lb 2oz, primarily consisting of three sizable carp weighing 9lb 2oz, 8lb 6oz, and 6lb 10oz. Jamie Adam secured second place with a respectable bag of bream totaling 8lb 12oz. Martin Syer claimed third place, thanks to a noteworthy 5lb 6oz carp.

Despite the initial drizzle, the rain held off for most of the day, making for an enjoyable fishing experience. The match concluded in time for participants to leave and enjoy yet another classic England performance.

A special thank you goes to Thales for their continued support and for once again hiring Hunters Pool for the day. Their sponsorship and dedication to the event are greatly appreciated, contributing to another successful and memorable match.

Overall, it was a good day out on the water, with plenty of fish caught and good company all around. Here’s looking forward to next year’s competition!

The final results were…