Pemb, born in 1985, started his match apprenticeship at the relatively old age of 9 with victories in the Petersfield Junior Club on a variety of venues and it was a year later when he made the transition to senior level. It wasn't a very encouraging start for the young pretender, he blanked. In fact he blanked on the next three outings, but undeterred he soldiered on, all the while gathering information from his more senior match mates. An un-quenching thirst for knowledge, coupled with some improved results against these seniors, saw his stature grow and this knowledge reservoir dry up... a case of biting the hand that feeds you I presume!
For the next few years Pemb competed in various Junior leagues alongside the likes of Craig White, Pete Thomas and David Green, all up and coming talents in their own right.
It was in late 1998 that saw Pemb dip his toes into the southern open match circuit at top venues such as Willow Park, Gold Valley and his local MBK lakes. He also changed clubs to Guildford and competed in the highly successful 'Keenets League' until it reformed under the 'Future Junior League' in 1999. It was at this point in time that Pemb stopped fishing at senior club level to concentrate more on the open circuit at weekends. One match in particular left its mark on some of his victims. This was in a Gold Valley Super Sixes round and saw Pemb take a section win against some high-class opposition, notably Terry 'El Tel' Harrison of Daiwa Dorking! Considering he was only 13 at the time this marked a considerable upgrade to his angling CV!
The following year saw Pemb still competing at a high junior level with the Datatag League, which superceded the Future. Another team switch to BBC Celtic Bait in 2000 saw him flexing his muscles on waters further a field like Shillinglea and Wallers Haven. A notable achievement came with a win in the MBK All-Winners final with 38lb of carp against some stiff opposition. Success continued with his new team, who managed top honours in Division 2 of the South East Super League. A second placing in the Mid-Hants Winter League found Pemb competing on a Warwickshire Avon semi-final where he came second in his section of 17 with 3lb 4oz of bits to stick and waggler, being beaten by only 3lb 9oz (included a 2lb barbel) and the local (beaten) Shakespeare Superteam representative was only two pegs away at the time!
Between 2001 and 2002 he stepped up in class with a place in the Daiwa Dorking Junior squad, he also became the Surrey Youth River Champion on the superb but patchy River Mole. The Avon Valley Winter League was just down the road from the Mid-Hants and as in the previous year his team, now GT Match Group, earned another semi-final slot but this year was on more local territory, the Kennet & Avon Canal. A creditable 3rd in section was tinged with the disappointment of the team's 4th place, just 4pts from qualification!
Now a regular at carp mecca, Gold Valley, Pemb posted a number of ton weights up to a stunning 170lb. All these past achievements had obviously not gone unnoticed and after a brief flirtation with Fox Match Banstead in 2003, Pemb hitched his wagon to the Farnborough winter league squad under the captaincy of the inimitable Dickie Carr, which once more resulted in a semi-final slot, this time on the Grand Union at Milton Keynes. A 4th in section and the 'scalp' of Essex's Andy Mead from off the next peg where his only rewards! Success continued on the open circuit, particularly at Gold Valley and the MBK Winter League, were he'd started to successfully defend his previous year's winning title.
Continued participation in competitive opens alongside top flight anglers such as Steve Gardner, Will Raison, Darren Davis and Des Shipp has undoubtedly left its mark on Pemb, culminating in 16 Kamasan points for the 2003/4 season. A successful integration into the England Under 21 squad in Croatia last year cemented his place for this year’s event in Serbia and Montenegro.
Having invested countless hours and money into their young offspring, Bill and Sue Wrighting can now reap the reward of immense pride in seeing their son gain silver and gold for himself and his country. It is hoped Pemb can now build further on his 2005 success and eventually gain access to that ultimate pinnacle of achievement… the England senior team!
