Spring was in the air at the Reepham Fishery on Sunday.
Migratory blackbirds were gathering to return to their nesting sites in Scandinavia. And sprightly dunnocks (hedge sparrows) were busy secretly arranging their usual menage a trois relationships among the local shrubberies.
These were sure signs than the Wensum Valley Tackle League would produce a grandstand finish, with red hot favourites Cillit Bang poised to take the crown.
But it was not as simple as that. Lee Carver, Glen Mason and Scott Whiting, the long-time leaders, could not actually fall at the final fence.
But what they did not enjoy was their final round in the grand finale that left them sixth on the day, 20 pp, with winners Angling Direct Black on 8pp.
This slight setback had no effect at the top and Cillit's score left them champions on 102, nine to spare over runners-up Angling Direct Black, whose 111 was one better than third-placed Matrix/Wensum Valley, who finished on 112.
Champions' skipper Carver, who before the first whistle bragged his team would win this prestigious competition, commented: 'Fortunately, we had wrapped up this tournament before our luck at the draw turned on Sunday.
'Our man Glen Mason finished individual champion overall with six penalty points while Scott and I made the best of poor draws and that's how we won.'
The top catch on the final day was 90lb 11oz from peg 48 on the Long Lake for Nigel Swallow (Hot Totties).
Wayne Anderson (AD Black) bagged 80lb 5oz from Long Lake 45 and Stu Elmar (Wensum Valley) weighed in 68lb 2oz from the main lake.
The event was rated a triumph for fishery owners Kellie and Rick Broadway, who have developed the complex into a top match venue.
Kellie said: 'We are delighted the league was a success.
'We have a superb shield which will carry the names of the winning teams.
League organiser Daniel Brydon added: 'Rick and Kellie have done a marvellous job and I can say the league will run again next winter. My congratulations go to champions Cillit Bang who set the pace from the start.'
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