Junior news. Check it out!

The JCC Junior Open Match was held on the top pond at Nyewood, featuring young anglers representing clubs from three regions: Petersfield, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Farnham, Godalming, Petworth, and Bognor.

The event's sponsors, JCC Lighting (Chichester), provided fantastic prizes. The competition was divided into two sections (8-12 years and 13-16 years), with awards for winners and runners-up in both categories, as well as participation medals for all. Bordon Angling Centre also contributed great items to enhance the prize offerings.

The event was shortened as planned due to the weather conditions, prioritising fish welfare, with temperatures expected to rise. The morning had started with overcast, but humid conditions and it wasn't long before the sun emerged as the young participants had anticipated a good day, with ideal conditions at the start, including a slight breeze across the lake. Unfortunately, the Carp were elusive, making silverfish the primary target.

Cody Hughes (Petworth & Bognor) and Archie Mann (Portsmouth) worked diligently, switching from feeder to float, and targeting silverfish to secure first and second places in the 13-16 age section respectively.

Representing Petersfield, siblings Luke and Jack Hales competed until the end, focusing on smaller catches and tying for second place in the 8-12 age section, both weighing in at 4lbs 8ozs.

The surprise of the day was young Zak Read (Petersfield), who caught and landed the largest eel ever seen at Nyewood, weighing 5lbs 2oz. This, along with some silverfish, gave him a total of 5lbs 12oz, earning him first place in the 8-12 section and making him the overall individual winner.

The PDAC have reinstated the Eddie Matthews Junior Open cup for this and future open events. This was a fitting tribute, as Eddie Matthews served as the club's Chairman for twenty years and was dedicated to successful junior events during his spell, with some participants advancing to the senior match scene. The last recipient of this cup, presented in 2002, was Alex Clements, who remains active in the world match scene today, achieving national and international titles.

We express our gratitude to JCC Lighting (sponsors) and Steve Barnett (Bordon Angling Centre) for their contributions, which ensure the continuation of junior events, helping to inspire the next generation of anglers. We also thank all the PDAC Development Programme volunteers for their efforts in making these events successful. Finally, a huge thanks to all the young anglers who participated.

The final result was:

Check out the photos from this event on our Facebook page.

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