Southend sea angler Phil Dangerfield has scooped a national open title in north Wales.
The 50-year-old member of ACES -- Anglers of Customs & Excise, Southend -- beat off fishermen from around the country to win the Civil Service's National Open Sea Angling Championship at Pwllheli.
The competition was marked through length of fish rather than weight and Phil -- more used to catching smugglers at Customs & Excise -- snared eight dogfish, one whiting and a flounder for 465cm.
His efforts also helped team-mates Ray Fisher, 47, and 37-year-old Rick Kinsey to scoop the team prize. Ray had a 26cm whiting, while Rick -- last year's individual winner -- had three dogfish for 120cm.
Phil's victory came in some of the most difficult conditions he has had to face.
Team-mate Ray admitted: "There were gale-force winds so it was a real endurance test. There was driving rain throughout the six-hour match and Phil was sitting on top of some rocks where he nearly fell in on a couple of occasions!"
Published Wednesday November 6, 2002
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