Season ends with cliffhanger of a competition
Wayne Oosthuizen of Breakwaters was crowned as the ‘angler of the day’ with seven points
The season for the Angling Professional League (APL) drew to a close with the hosting of the AA Tours Grand Challenge between Breakwaters and Ladysmith Angling Club on April 23 at Zone 2, Richgate Park.
Much was at stake, as both Breakwaters and Ladysmith AC had one piece of silverware each – Breakwaters being the VME League champions and Ladysmith crowned the Transnat Knockout champions. The showdown for the Grand Challenge was going to be a closely contested affair, as both teams were equally determined to be crowned the victor.
As each fish was weighed, there was joy for those fish which were over the 500g weight limit, while those under equally received a loud cheer depending on which team you belonged to.
Also read: Sweet revenge for angling newcomers
It was evident that this encounter was going to be a nail-biting affair, as the winner was too close to call. Ladysmith was first to weigh their fish and accumulated 15 points. Breakwaters followed…
With both teams tied at 15 points apiece and with one net remaining, the smiles on the faces of the Breakwaters members began to beam as the last fish registered two points. So it was the Breakwaters team that just managed to prevail over Ladysmith Angling Club, the score-line reading 17 points to 15.
Breakwaters was crowned as the ‘AA Tours Grand Challenge Champions’. Congratulations to both teams for displaying sheer determination and sportsmanship despite the intense rivalry.
Wayne Oosthuizen of Breakwaters was crowned as the ‘angler of the day’ with seven points, winning the orange cap, an outright trophy and R200.
The APL thanks its major sponsors – VME, Transnat and AA Tours – our members, families and well-wishers for an exciting and gruelling season.
The title holders of the season include Preethum Birbal (Challengers AC – heaviest carp of 3.650kg); Sikander Amod (Stillwaters AC – heaviest non-scaled fish of 6.9kg); Suvyn Budhoo (Stillwaters AC – rare specie – a bass of 1.090kg – who wins himself R500 in this category); Talia Boodhoo (Junior Angler of the Year – Stillwaters); Veruschka Boodhoo (Stillwaters AC – Lady Angler of the Year); Iqbal Asraff (Senior Angler of the Year – Challengers) and Ebrahim Mia (Challengers AC – Angler of the Year).
The new season starts on August 1.
Anglers will now take a well-deserved break from competitive angling.
For more information regarding the APL, contact Matthew Shunmugam on 082-807-8919.
