The five-strong England team, which included Ollie Hopkins, from New Milton, won a bronze medal at the World Junior Shore Anglers Championships held in south west France just to the north of Biarritz.

Under the guidance of Chris Clark, from Sway, the youngsters got off to a great start by winning the first match before the weather took a turn for the worse with huge waves pounding the beaches.

Despite being one of the smallest and youngest teams in the championships, the young England lions still held their own to secure third place behind France and Italy.

Winning a medal in alien surroundings is certainly a great achievement, especially beating the likes of Spain and Portugal in their own backyard.

Hopkins was also presented with a special award for the angler recording the most fish during the championships.

SHARK ON BOARD

Another huge porbeagle shark has been landed from the Poole-based boat Seajay' skippered by Matt Rowe - 15 miles to the southwest of the port.

On this occasion Andy Wells, from Christchurch, took 45 minutes to land the huge predator which was estimated to weigh around 260lb, again it was photographed and released alive.

  • West Bexington was the setting for the latest round of the pegged open Gale Force League where codling, smoothhound, dogfish, pout, poor cod, whiting, sole, plaice, scad and garfish supplied some lively action.

Results - A Section: 1 Rob Marshall 17-15, 2 Ant Buik 15-10, 3 Richard Lane 13-4.

B Section: 1 Pete Hegg 18-7, 2 Ian Dancey 17-10, 3 John Van Crugten 16-13.

SAM'S SUCCESS

Flatties were conspicuous by their absence during the first round of the Wessex Angling Junior Flounder League in Poole Harbour. Fourteen-year-old Sam O'Shea, from Upton, won the event with 1-2 followed by Ryan Johnson with just 3.5oz.

EVERTON GO CLOSE

The four-strong Hamble SAC team that included Ray Ashby, from Christchurch, won the CIU boat knockout competition for the 11th consecutive year.

But the Everton CIU team, which comprised of Gavin and John Sloper, Lionel Sullivan and Peter Snow, certainly gave them a good run for their money.

They took an early lead as Sullivan landed a 14lb cod but the Hamble lads fought back with conger to 10lb. At the end of a hotly-contested encounter the winners mustered 56 fish weighing 92-1 while the Everton squad landed 43 fish weighing 60-0.

  • There will be a £1000 top prize during the Poingdestres 21st International Open Beach Festival at Weston Shore on October 28 with fishing from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

The event which will be fished in three zones will be organised by members of the Shirley club with tickets costing £8.50 for adults and £4 for juniors plus pools.