Commentary by Stan : The recent rains had added a few inches of depth but with 26 fishing, those familiar with Frogmore's moods knew that the day would be difficult. Unfortunately several of those fishing were not so familiar and set about their match as if it were a pleasure session in July; feeding big handfuls of 6mm & 8 mm pellets and heavy float tackle. Suffice to say they learnt the hard way.

But experience was not the salvation for all. Paul Bangs is rarely out of the top five at Frogmore yet on this wet and blustery day he suffered a blank from peg 23. Next door, on 22, venue regular Matt Young used the experience gained from his practice 24 hours earlier to put over 5lb of silvers (including a pair of small carp) on the scales. But his light tackle approach back-fired as he lost three large carp, anyone of which would have put him in the frame. Incidentally, 18 year old Matt has now moved to 2nd place in the Championship.

Working hard for a 2nd place was Neil Anderson on peg 8. Carefully working a pellet rig tight to the island he hooked six carp...but four were foul-hooked and pulled off. He had also practised with a few hours on Friday afternoon with 8 good carp plus bream for over 50lb showing that on 'normal' days Frogmore provides great sport.

Taking the last peg in the bag I was very pleased with my peg, no.25, as it commands a lot of the 3rd island plus has margin swims to go at as well. But after an hour of taking things easy I realised, after no bites, that I needed to rethink my approach. Despite the clearer than normal water and falling temps I opted to try a very light (0.10mm) rig very tight to the island in 14" of water. The float didn't even settle as a plump rudd snatched the maggot on the drop. A few more followed on maggot and caster before a 2lb carp gave me the run-around. A swap to a light carp rig on black hydro with half a worm for bait worked wonders as it was taken on the drop on the second put-in, again in just inches of water. This carp was over 4lb and, from what I had heard, had now put me in the lead. No more carp followed so I went back to the light maggot rig to pick up a few more silvers and a sickly 1lb carp. 10 minutes from the whistle the gusty winds spangled my short rig as I shipped out to 14.5m so I slipped another worm on the carp rig and dropped it tight to the island. I glanced at my watch to confirm two minutes left then saw my float bury. By instinct I lifted and thought I was snagged on the bottom. Throwing the pole back, just in case, I was delighted to see the water erupt and a big fish charge off towards the middle island.

Struggling with the pole at full length in the wind I somehow managed to blow the final whistle and, five or so minutes later of playing the carp in Kev Hawes swim, a confused looking carp of around 6-7lb surfaced, hooked firmly in the undercarriage. Yet, after all the struggle I didn't need it win....but it does prove that on difficult days it's worth staying until the bitter end unlike several who packed up early.