The curtain closed on the Angling Professional League (APL) season, with the hosting of the Grand Challenge at Richgate Park, on May 22.
A week earlier at the same venue, Challengers Angling Club put an end to the dominance of Breakwaters, who was already crowned as the VME League Champion.
President of APL, Matthew Shunmugam said anglers pulled out all the stops to capture the Transnat Knock-Out Trophy by a solitary point; the score line reading 10 points to nine in favour of Challengers. At that stage, it was one silverware apiece for Breakwaters and Challengers, with the Grand Challenge to follow.
“Smarting from their narrow defeat, Breakwaters was bent on avenging defeat and came out with all guns blazing. Tension-filled faces were noticeable at the start of the competition and at the weigh-in.”
Ebrahim Mia of Challengers, was the top angler of the day, finishing with 17 points, receiving the “orange cap’, an outright trophy and R200 for his efforts. Breakwaters Angling Club, emerged as victor and was crowned the Grand Challenge Champion, beating Challengers 49 – 35. Stillwaters scored 23 points.
This was the inaugural season where fully fledged clubs competed. The keen rivalry between Challengers and Breakwaters was clearly reminiscent of their seasons when they were affiliates of APL. Stillwaters, consisting of many junior and social anglers, showed remarkable improvement towards the latter part of the season.
After a gruelling season, Kaveer Singh (Breakwaters) emerged as the Angler of Year, finishing on 110 points, followed by Ebrahim Mia (Challengers) on 91 points and hotly pursued by Shane Mangaroo (Breakwaters) on 89 points.
“The top three anglers of the season will receive prizes in the form of branded name fishing tackle such as rods, reels, keep nets, and various other prizes,” said Mr Shunmugam.
The title holders for the APL for the season include:
– Terrence Chetty of Breakwaters – heaviest scaled fish: a carp of 3.650kg and heaviest non-scaled fish, a barbel of 9,005kg.
– Kameshin Govender of Challengers – Junior Angler of Year.
– Talia Boodhoo of Stillwaters – Lady Angler of Year.
The top five anglers for Breakwaters and Stillwaters for the Grand Challenge were:
– Sikhander Amod – 13 points,
– Shakeel Sheik – 6 points,
– Shane Mangaroo – 6 points,
– Vicky Dass – 6 points and
– Martinus Truter – 5 points.
“The Executive of the APL expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to their officials, members, our major sponsors, supporters, the media, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and all who contributed towards the success of the APL. The new season will commence on August 1. Those wishing to join the APL can collect membership forms at Mohamed Midas Spares,” he concluded.
