Red-hot Paul Turner strikes twice

The Wolverhampton AA VDE skipper topped the overall standings in the three-day Wolverhampton AA Summer Festival for the second successive year.

Turner then followed up that triumph with victory in the Stoke City DAA Open.

The Festival was held on three venues of the Staffs & Worcs Canal in Staffordshire and it was Turner who emerged victorious with Andy Swift (Browning Northants) second and Brownhills-rod Rob Chambers (Sensas Black Country) third.

The opening day’s action took place on the Botheram Locks to Bumble Hole Length in Wombourne with Crew-rod and former AT & CRT Canal Pairs champion Simon Preece (Crewe Match Anglers) winning from peg nine with 35-7-15.

Walsall postman Steve Cope (Four Ashes AC) followed with 20-13-0 of all chub to 1lb 8oz at peg two.

The Ebstree Lock to Bumble Hole Lock stretch in Awbridge saw action during day two and Penkridge-based all-rounder Dave Brown (Dynamite Maver Midlands) just edged it on peg 51 with 28-6-11 of worm-enticed chub to 3lb. Graham Smith (Preston Innovations Black Horse) was with for 27-9-0 from peg 3.

The day three battle was held at Penkridge and local rod Dave Smith (Bridgtown Social AC) eased to victory with 28-1-0 of bream to 3lb at peg five in the marina mouth at Otherton.

Dudley’s Kevin Perry (Dynamite Maver Midlands) was runner-up with 14lb 4oz 13oz of bream from peg 35 in the marina mouth at Penkridge.

But it was Turner who was celebrating overall after his six point tally saw him crowned champion.

Turner maintained his form in the 22-peg Stoke City DAA Open on the Shropshire Union Canal at Norbury Junction.

He weighed in 10-3-2 at peg 75 with Fordhouses’ Dave Richards (Four Ashes AC) finishing second with 7-3-2 at peg 73.