Parkdean Masters 2010

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Leeds angler Lee Kerry landed a fantastic double after winning the 2010 Parkdean Masters title in a thrilling head-to-head with Wales international Lee Edwards.

In bright sunshine on Jenny’s Lake at Cornwall’s White Acres fishery, Kerry recorded the best match weight in the eleven-year history of the event to claim the £25,000 first prize.

The 27-year-old angling consultant was pushed all the way by Edwards in one of the tightest contests in recent years.

Kerry, a Preston Innovations-backed angler, had already achieved one of his greatest ambitions by winning the week-long qualifying festival leading into the Masters final.

In doing so, he became only the second angler in the history of the event to win the festival, and then go on to win the prestigious Parkdean Masters final the very next day. The only previous double winner was Neil Machin in 2006.

Kerry was first to draw, ahead of a field containing a host of top anglers. Former World Champions Alan Scotthorne and Tommy Pickering, England regulars Des Shipp and Darren Cox and former Parkdean winner Adam Wakelin were among the 24 who qualified to compete for the title.

He pulled out peg 16, and elected to fish the long pole shallow to target carp in open water. Next door on Peg 15 was Edwards. The 35-year-old Welshman matched Kerry fish for fish throughout the four hours of the contest, watched by a large crowd.

Their main rival for the title was 2007 Parkdean champion Des Shipp on Peg 1. Shipp, fishing
long pole and worm, caught consistently but was left frustrated as a quiet last hour cost him dearly.

While Shipp was struggling as the clock ticked down, Kerry and Edwards battled hard, using similar shallow tactics to tempt White Acres hard-fighting carp. With half an hour to go, Kerry broke clear, landing three big fish in a nail-biting finish.

But Edwards kept everyone guessing, slipping the net under a superb carp approaching double figures as the hooter blew to signify the end of the match.

Shipp weighed in 64lbs 1oz, with 28lbs of silverfish, including several large tench putting him into the lead as the scales went round.

The weighing party arrived at Kerry’s peg, where a large crowd witnessed a nervous 10 minutes which saw the man on peg 15 weigh 99lbs 12oz.

Edwards was last to weigh in – and totalled 90lb 8oz to claim second place.

Kerry said, ’’The match went well from the start. I knew when I drew Peg 16 I had a chance – but there were some top-class anglers around me and I knew I had my work cut out.

‘’I caught steadily, but lost a couple of big fish, including one about 8lbs early on. I knew it was going well – but Lee Edwards pushed me all the way.

‘’When the match finished, my nerves were in shreds waiting for the scales to come round. I’m so proud to have won it. I’ve had good draws and capitalised.

‘’To win the festival last week was fantastic. To follow it up by winning the Masters title is amazing.’’

After collecting a cheque for £25,000 and the Masters trophy, Kerry celebrated his victory with a traditional dive into Jenny’s Lake.

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