With a backdrop of a historic castle, which once had the honour of accommodating France's ultimate heroine, Joan of Arc, Sully-sur-Loire lived up to its fairy-tale appearance by producing a happy ending for the home side on a weekend which nearly saw them suffer the indignation of a home defeat.
There may have only be six nations competing but the standard of angling was of the highest quality on a venue which would be more fitting hosting a Walt Disney spectacle with its fantasy castle than an international angling event. Sully-sur-Loire was the perfect venue for the French to turn over the English and Belgians in their own backyard but after day one it looked as though they'd made the proverbial cock-up!

Above: England joint team manager, Mark Addy, renewed rivalry with his French counterpart, Henri Durozier, but observed the sporting handshake before coming out on the first day with all guns blazing!

In a tournament of just six teams there is little margin for error, as England were to find out later. France had this venue sussed out long before anyone else arrived so you can only imagine what must of been going through their teams mind after England's first day strike.
Described by England's joint team manager Mark Addy as a match of two halves day one saw Drennan Team England excel against a French side high on expectation, especially with a home advantage based on a catfish menu!
England had only two days prep on this unusual venue, however this venue was heaving with catfish, skimmers, roach and the odd carassio, but it was a skimmer and roach attack which must have given the French a heart attack and set Drennan England up with a three point advantage going into the final day. England had fished a 'blinder' on day one with Darren Cox, Paul Yates and Darren Davies all posting section wins and Will Raison, Steve Hemingray and Simon Willsmore registering two section seconds and a third respectively.

The plan had been well worked from the two previous days practice and involved dividing the venue into two distinct areas, one deep and one shallow.
The first three sections were deep and would involve 13 and 6 metre lines. At 13 metres, 6 balls of Sensas Fine Carp would be put in with a further 8 to 10 balls of Sensas Lake and leam on top, the ratio was 50/50. The 6 metre line would have 5 to 6 balls of the lake and leam mix with joker. This would be for skimmers, 6 to 10 inches off the bottom with catfish under that. Hookbait would consist of chopped worm or red maggot for the catfish and bloodworm for the roach and skimmers.
Three rigs were employed, one light shallow set up for roach on the drop, a bulk shot with three droppers for the skimmers and an olivette rig for the catfish, or chats as they call them in France.
Mark explained the feeding plan, "top up of both lines would start pretty quick as we want to catch every fish there is", he added, "we don't need to win on Saturday, but it would be a bonus, we just want to stay in touch with the French who we consider the danger". We'll start for roach and if everything goes to plan we will catch some skimmers but if it dies then its all out for catfish". We did this on Friday's practice and it produced 5-7 kilos of fish per man".

Above: The English lads really love to mix it up.

Below: Now were did I put my spade?

Above: Day one and at 12am.... there off !!!

Explaining the final three sections he said, "this would be totally different as it shallows up rapidly and only has a one line option at 13 metres. We'll ball in again with lake and leam, but no Fine Carp, as there's not many catfish tere. Roach and skimmers on the drop would be our target, 6 inches off the bottom at two and a half foot but if we can't catch them then we will go for the 'cats' which are very small, and that is basically it".
The plan proved simple, the execution devastating, and with team strategy varying only slightly for the final day, hopes were high of adding a third consecutive 6 Nations title to this years tally which already had a European Championship in the bag. Considered by many as the 'B' squad, joint manager Mark Addy firmly dispelled this speculation saying "this line-up is part of a ten man England squad who have been pited against some of the finest anglers in France, Belgium and the home countries and their performance was nothing short of magnificent", adding "I'd imagine France are now just a bit worried, but tomorrow is another day", an understatement from a manager seemingly holding all the 'aces'!
As it turned out England finished 3 points clear of the French, something he hadn't envisaged. But there was still day two to seal and the plan was only marginally altered. Mark jokingly commented on Saturday evening that he thought the French may be a bit worried, but added, "tomorrow is another day". His words were about to come back and haunt him!

Above: One of the venue's chief residents... Chats, or catfish, who shoal around on the surface (below) in masses of black clouds... just like tadpoles!

Below: Another resident, although not present in as many numbers... can still give a nasty nip on the finger!

Above: England coach Mark Addy checks in with his walkie-talkie while Darren Davies keeps topping-up.

Below: Irish captain Bobby Smithers with team man Jason Ward.

Above: Belgian 'ace' Eric Di Venti lands an early skimmer on his way to winning C section with 5.150 kilos.

Right: Christophe Ravat swings in a chat which his manager misses.

Above: Welsh team manger Eric Humphreys with Lee Edwards.

Above: Eventual Individual winner Eric Lubin prepares to net a good roach from F section which he won with 8.200kg on day one.

Above: Rated one of the most talented anglers in France, Christophe Gazonnois swings in a 'chat' from A2 on day one but it was not enough to take the section from Englishman Darren Cox on the next peg!

Above: Steve Hemingray of England fished included this 1lb+ carassio in his 6.940kg weight to finish second in F section.

Above: Matchangler.com correspondent Mark Turner finished day one with a respectable 3pts from B1.

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