YORK angler Michael Newton gave himself a fine birthday present when he won a prestigious angling tournament in the same week he turned 50.
Newton, from Tadcaster Road, became the first non-Scot for 30 years to lift the Scottish Trout and Salmon Casting Championships trophy after seeing off an international field, including many of the best competitors from north of the border.
Furthermore, it was his first casting competition for three years, and his victory maintained his amazing unbeaten record in all competitions, with other previous successes including the Norfolk and Chatsworth Show titles.
"It's unusual for anybody other than people from Scotland to win this title," said a delighted Newton, who won with massive casts of 104 yards for the salmon and 75 yards for the trout.
"It's good that someone local to York has won something on a national basis. This competition dates back to the 1920s and I'm delighted to have won.
"Although I haven't entered a competition for about three years I've still kept practising and it obviously paid off."
Updated: 11:19 Friday, August 24, 2001
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