We had all qualified to fish the SAMF UK Masters championships, a two day competition and a title sought after by many of the countries top anglers.
We drew are pegs and set off at 3.30 to prepare for a 5pm/10pm start. Our main foray was Whiting at distance, but with high winds and torrential rain I found casting difficult but I managed to scrape a few out.
Ian had a brilliant nights fishing, he had 27 fish and when the results were announced he had a 2nd in zone, so we were all in high spirits as we headed off for a midnight feast.
The 2nd day saw us washing and drying and cleaning our tackle in the sunshine ready for later, some of us headed off for the AGM, then we all had lunch before leaving for our pegs at 3.30pm.
Ian had end peg so was under a lot of pressure as we knew if he could keep focused and on form the title could be in his grasp.
Weather was better, no rain but a slight breeze and for many the Whiting didn’t show and Dabs were the order of the day.
As we came off the beach we heard that Ian had done well with 35 fish and that he could possibly have come 2nd in zone again, but it would be a couple of hrs before the results would be announced.
Back at headquarters we had a drink and waited whilst Jags entertained us with his tales and antics, we all laughed till we were in bodily pain, what a character.
When the results were finally announced our estimations were confirmed, Ian was the 2009 UK champion. In 29 years this title has only been won twice before by Wirral anglers, Brian Fawcett in the early nineties on the Mersey and Bill Lindfield 2006 in Norfolk, now Ian has brought it back for the 3rd time.
An outstanding achievement in light of the standard of anglers, Ian should be very proud of himself, Well done!!
Michael Brookes was top Junior, beating many senior anglers by coming 5th in zone on the first day, what a star!! With Michaels inclusion to the England squad we certainly havn’t heard the last of him, Well done pest!!.
I took the ladies the ladies trophy whilst Bill shared the 2nd heaviest fish.
Jag’s and Derek, Well what can I say!! They shared a dodgy kebab and a bottle of wine. They were both great company and thankyou for all the laughs and repartee we had.
SAMF stands for Sea Anglers Match Federation and next years Masters will be at Chesil Beach in Dorset. Bill is the SAMF rep for the NW and anyone wishing to qualify for next year can do so at any of our NWASAC matches
well it was dark 
cheers heather see ya all soon