Thursday 9th October 2025.

Fifteen teams of 6 entered this match which was spread across our waters from Breinton downstream to Field Farm. With Storm Amy producing some strong winds together with over an inch of rain in Wales leading up to the match, conditions were not the best and river levels were starting to rise as the match started. With plenty of colour in the water and mild temperatures it was expected to be a match where plenty of bleak were likely to be caught along with some barbel and dace. It was then a question of which species to fish for. As this match is fished on a points basis with one angler from each team placed in each of the six sections, it is important to try and win your section  or ensure you catch some fish to collect some points.as failing to catch means no points are added to the team total.

Individual winner on the day was former Welsh international Phil Davies who took a fabulous catch of dace from the top peg on the Tennis Courts to weigh in 47lb 10oz. Runner up was Jack Jones who weighed in 43lb 6oz from the Belmont 2 section, with Charlie Gooch claiming 3rd place from Belmont 3 with 38lb 10oz. On the team front Woodys took the trophy for an unprecedented third year in succession with 74 points and a total weight of 144lb 13oz. Second place went to Woodys Bait-Tech with 72 points and a combined weight of 142lb 10oz.with Nomads A taking third place with 71points and a combined weight of 166lb 2oz. Fourth were Cadence Bait-tech with70points and a weight of 138lb 4oz.

Bleak made up the majority of catches on the Belmont sections but there were some good barbel caught throughout as well as some good perch. The match fished  well across all sections with plenty of double figure nets taken in all sections. Next Sunday (12th October) sees the start of the River Wye Winter League on the Belmont match length. This league has a new sponser in the form of groundbait giants Van den Eyne who will provide a cash injection which will enable organiser Dave Roberts to once again pay the top 4 placings in the overall league. Following on from that will be the Alan Reynolds Memorial match organised by Alan’s Tackle in Worcester, followed by the eagerly anticipated Wye Championship on Sunday 26th October where 120 anglers will battle it out to lift the famous trophy.