Les catches the £50,000 top prize at Mega Match (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Les catches the £50,000 top prize at Mega Match

9:15am Thursday 6th September 2012 in Sport

STOURPORT’S Larford Lakes hosted the richest angling tournaments in the country at the weekend.

Worcestershire fishing tackle firm Maver hosted the final of their Mega Match at the fishery on Saturday.

Some of the country’s best anglers, who had battled through the rounds, were competing for the £50,000 first prize.

It was won by Stourbridge’s Les Thompson, who saw off the 23 competitors with a haul of 52.260 kilograms.

The money couldn’t come at a better time as he is getting married in a few weeks.

“I was hoping for a draw somewhere between pegs eightand 12 on the shallow bank – so I was delighted when I drew peg 12 at the draw held at the dinner on Friday night,” said Thompson.

“I am delighted to have won, and plan to use some of the money to take the family away on holiday.

“I am getting married in a couple of weeks, so the extra funds will help to replenish the bank balance as the last few months have been very expensive!”

In second-place came Ian Giddons, who earrned £5,000 with a haul of 46.640kgs.

Third place and a cheque for £3,000 went to last year's defending champion, Andy Power, with a weight of 40.260kgs. Maver (UK) managing director and competition organiser Phil Briscoe was delighted for the winner.

He said: “I’m delighted for Les; he’s a great lad, a great angler and representative of the sport and therefore a deserving winner.

“I’m also very grateful to my team who have helped make the second Maver Mega Match final such a resounding success.

“Perhaps now the sceptics will realise that we are here to stay, that we are a major player in the match circuit and that at some point, as entrant numbers continue to grow in support of the event, I will be true to my word and hand over a cheque for £100,000 to a deserving winner.”