BLACKBURN foundry boss Danny McGuire and his Silstar Izaak Walton team-mate Alan Barnes, of Burnley, helped a crack Silstar UK team to second place in the John Smith's Bitter Team Angling Championship on the River Avon at Evesham.

The team finished just a handful of points behind four times world champions Drennan Team England, shocking many pundits who had tipped England and Team Normark for success.

Danny, manager of RHP Bearings, on Roman Road Industrial Estate, finished second in his 16-man zone, beaten only by England international Steve Gardener.

Alan, assistant editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's sister publication, the Blackburn Citizen, finished mid-way in his section after catching roach late in the competition on hempseed bait.

Danny, who captains Silstar Izaak Walton, said: "We were quoted at 16 to 1 by the bookmakers and weren't rated as likely candidates by the experts doing the commentary on the river bank, but we dug in and are absolutely delighted with the result.

"Finishing second to the full England international team is no mean feat on a river fished by a top class field of Britain's best match fishermen."

Alan stayed in Evesham for Monday's Wychavon Festival on the same river and very nearly added more silverware when he was narrowly pipped for a section win by river legend John Allerton.

Alan drew in C section just below the Simon De Montford Bridge, and caught 2lb 9oz 8 drams of roach on hemp seed. Meanwhile, a few pegs further upstream, Selby matchman John squeezed ahead with a 2lb 10 oz catch.

Alan said: "John very sportingly apologised to me after the match - we're the best of friends and in angling John Allerton is known as 'God', so I didn't mind losing out to him!"

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