Steve Barraclough is the early leader after a gripping first day of the Match Fishing Drennan Knockout Cup Grand Final.

The Match Lake was in great form at Docklow Pools for the first leg of this two-day Final. It proved an even contest with all four qualifiers catching well. With an hour to go it looked like Ian Didcote was on for a first day victory. That was before the fish decided to feed down the margins! In that final hour everything changed and it turned into a really exciting climax.

Browning backed Steve fished a steady match on peg 26, picking off mostly F1s on the long pole and pellets much of the day before making a tactical switch down the edge. That rewarded him with some huge fish to 15lb – possibly the biggest fish we have ever witnessed in the Final.

Steve ended up with a very healthy 102lb 5oz, with Preston’s Robbie Griffiths not too far behind on 91lb 5oz from fancied peg 8. Garbolino’ Ian Didcote is currently third with 76lb 7oz from peg 6 and Matrix’s Warren Martin is just behind with 75lb 10oz from peg 24.

The anglers now have to swap pegs today and fish on the opposite bank. It’s certainly all to play for, so come down to Docklow Pools and watch what promises to be a brilliant conclusion to a great Final!