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Monday, 22 August 2011 12:19

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Lost Fish Costs £50k

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Celebrations and commiserations as the the biggest cash prize in the history of angling is won and lost

The biggest prize in angling has been won in a dramatic conclusion to the highly anticipated Maver Match This competition.

In an action-packed final held at Maver Larford Lakes Worcestershire, it was 23-year-old Preston Innovations man Andy Power who clinched victory and the massive £50,000 prize money – but it could so easily have been a different story.

With just minutes to go it was Garbolino-backed commercial ace Grant Albutt who looked set to pocket the cash as he hooked into yet another carp on the venue’s Match Lake. But then disaster struck as Grant’s pole broke, losing him both the fish and the biggest payday in the history of the sport.

“I was nowhere in the last hour, so I fished down the edge on the pole to see what I could get. I had a few better carp and was catching up with Andy when I hooked what felt like another good fish,” said Grant. “I never actually got to see it though, because as I was trying to get it away from a snag my No.3 section snapped leaving me in a right mess. I did try to hand line the fish out but it came off. I was gutted, especially as there was only around 2kg that separated Andy and me at the weigh-in, and I’m sure that lost fish was bigger than that.

“I’m a big believer in fate though, and if it wasn’t meant to be, then it wasn’t meant to be. At the end of the day Andy fished a hell of a match and is a deserving winner,” he added.

Maver UK managing director and driving force behind the Match This competition, Phil Briscoe, was overjoyed with the success of the competition and has already started making plans for next year’s event.

“It was a brilliant day, and a great end to the competition,” said Phil. “Andy winning was a shock result to be honest as he kept below the radar most of the match, tucked away behind a reed bed and catching steadily. It wasn’t until the last hour with all the drama with Grant and his pole breaking that we thought Andy could be on for the win. He deserved to take the cheque though, but I do feel for Grant. If he’d landed that fish it would have been him at the top of the podium.

“I can’t wait for next year’s Maver Match This competition and we’re already looking to make it even better, with plans for a final offering a £100,000 cash prize for the winner.”

Maver Match this £50k final top three:

Andy Power (Preston Innovations) Peg 4            39.420kg

Grant Albutt (Garbolino) Peg 5                  37.100kg

Jamie Hughes (Maver) Peg 9                 34.400kg

Last modified on Tuesday, 23 August 2011 16:11

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