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Albutt’s anguish at 8th near miss.
Despite his reputation as being one of the best anglers in the country, there is one prize that keeps avoiding Matrix and Bait-Tech-backed ace Grant Albutt – and that is a place in the Fish ‘O’ Mania Final.

Grant has now come second in eight qualifiers of the 130-peg, including two in the last two weeks – finishing an agonising 3lb 1oz off top spot in this week's match at Gold Valley.

He explained: “I am very fortunate in that I have fished in most major UK finals, and even managed to win the £25,000 2010 Parkdean Masters Final, but a place in the Fish 'O' Mania Final has continued to evade me.

"To be the bridesmaid as many times as I have is very frustrating – but has strengthened my resolve to keep trying until I get there. I want a place in that final more than ever now!”

As it turned out, yesterday's match was won by 27-year-old Gavin Millis, a gardener from Slough. Drawn next to Grant, Gavin started on the Method feeder, but when Grant started catching better on the pellet waggler, Gavin saw it as his cue to change.

Though behind at the halfway mark Gavin clawed his way back and ended up with 23 carp to Grant’s 18, but Grant’s were reported to be a better stamp. At the weigh-in Gavin weighed 144-6-0 and Grant weighed 141-5-0.  

The win proved timely for Gavin, who announced after the match that he would be booking his wedding the next day.

Third place went to Middy ace Chris Cameron from Gloucester. Chris took 114-8-0 of carp on the Method and then on the pole down the edge using corn and pellets. In fourth place was Robert Brennan from Kidderminster. A golden spell during the last 90 minutes of the match fishing meat and pellet down the edge saw him net 15 carp.

Result:
1 Gavin Millis 144-6-0
2 Grant Albutt  (Matrix/Bait-Tech) 141-5-0
3 Chris Cameron (Middy) 114-5-0
4 Robert Brennan 105-4-0
5 Geoff Vallance (Preston Innovations) 101-6-0
6 Marc Rodger (Middy/ Bag 'em) 78-8-0
7 Tom Moretti 76-8-0
8 David Shultz 65-15-0