Our Christmas match is the last match of our current year and is a no point match as all the competitions are already over leaving this a “friendly” match. I say friendly because just like in football the competition for the Christmas trophy and tankard is fiercely fought. Eleven anglers turned out on a fine December morning with light winds and sunny and cloudy weather. We had our usual breakfast in the café where we drew our pegs. The Bailiff said that there was very little between the pegs as far as form goes so we all sat down with an even chance. First to catch was Bernie Cullinane with a fair sized carp, followed quickly by Tony Atkinson, Mark Cullinane and Kevin Smith, all were fishing double red maggot on the feeder. Everybody else was struggling for bits which were hard to come by and usually only on pole and maggot. Mark Cullinane and Steve Thorpe caught some more carp and Bill Smith had a last ditch carp on the pole and maggot to bring him in contention. Final Result was Mark “does my head look bald in this” Cullinane 10-10-00 feeder and maggot, second was Bill “nice n easy Smith” with 09-11-00 pole and maggot. Third was Steve Thorpe with 08-00-00 feeder and maggot. After the match we went home to prepare for the Christmas meal, the venue for which this year (as last) was the Rising Sun in Isleworth. A great meal and friendly hosts always makes for a congenial atmosphere.