Matches
The society runs a series of competitions each season which attract between 20 -30 members for each match. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly with a mixture of seasoned match-men and those who are there just to try their luck and for the banter that makes for an enjoyable experience.
Entry fees apply and prizes are given to the top weights on the day and trophies and prizes are presented at the AGM for the different categories of competition over the season.
Simply turn up at the venue on the day at the specified time.
All Tonbridge & District Competitions on Society waters to count for the match Championship Cup except for Open, Cane and Pin and Pike matches.
Meet at the venue at least 30 minutes before the draw to book in.
Match Fees £6
A. Ensfield Bridge to Leigh Footbridge
B. Leigh Footbridge to the Haysden Flood Barrier
C. Flood Barrier to Barden Park
D. The Sports Ground
E. Cannon Bridge downstream from The Town Lock
F. Hartlake Bridge upstream to Eldridges Lock
G. Hartlake Bridge downstream to the end of the waters
H. Long Reach & Bungalows
J. Haysden Lake
K. Barden Lake
L. Longfield Lake
M. Old Ballast Pit
N. Muck Stream to Boathouse
NL. New Lagoon
S. Swanmead
WW Weirwood
| Date 2026 | Match | Peg down/Rover | Venue | Draw | Fish from to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st June | Padley Bowl | PD | G | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 28th June | Chairman and Committee | PD | C | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 5th July | Restocking Cup | PD | S | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 12th July | Abrey and Tibbets | PD | B | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 19th July | Match Recorder Shield | PD | H | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 26th July | ACA Cup | PD | G | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 2nd August | Chapman Pole Cup | PD | East Lock | call | Mick 07949221209 |
| 9th August | Float only Match | R | F | ||
| 16th August | Feeder Only Match | PD | J | call | Mick 07949221209 |
| 23rd August | Edenbridge Away | PD | HEVER | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 6th September | Houghton Cup 1 | R | B | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 13th September | |||||
| 13th September | Mauver Summer League | EXTERNAL BOOKING | F&G | ||
| 20th September | |||||
| 27th September | Harry Fowler Charity Open | PD | F&G | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 4th October | Pike League 1 | R | 8am | 9am – 3pm | |
| 11th October | Houghton Cup 2 | R | C | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 18th October | Cane and Pin | R | N | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 25th October | Edenbridge Home | PD | J | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 1st November | Houghton Cup 3 | R | H | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 8th November | Pike Match/Pike League 2 | R | 8am | 9am – 3pm | |
| 15th November | Cheeseman Cup | R | K | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 22nd November | Houghton Cup 4 | R | D | 8am | 9am – 2pm |
| 29th November | Pike League 3 | 8am | 9am – 2pm | ||
| 6th December | Ron Williams Cup | ||||
| 13th December | Christmas Match | H | 8am | 9am – 2pm | |
| 2027 | |||||
| 3rd January | New Year Match | PD | D | 8am | 9am – 2.30pm |
| 10th January | Houghton Cup 5 | R | S | 8am | 9am – 2.30pm |
| 17th January | |||||
| 24th January | Houghton Cup 6 | R | F | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 14th February | Winter Rover | R | F & G | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 21st February | Pike League 4 | ||||
| 28th February | Winter Peg Down | PD | D | 8am | 9am – 3pm |
| 7th March |
All Tonbridge & District Competitions on Society waters to count for the match Championship Cup
except for Open, Cane and Pin and Pike matches.
COMPETITION RULES GENERAL
1. All cups and trophies are the property of the Society, vouchers will be awarded by the Society to all cup winners.
2. The Society may enter teams to compete in National Championship or other team matches.
3. The Committee shall be empowered to close a section or part of a section where it has been selected as a venue for a pegged down match. One weeks notice to be given, where possible, of such closure.
4. The Committee shall be empowered to arrange matches with other Associations on Members only waters.
SPECIMEN AWARDS
5. Prizes will be awarded to Members weighing-in specimen fish from Society waters for the best fish NOT BELOW the following weights:
- Bream 6lb
- Grayling 12oz
- Tench 6lb
- Crucian Carp 2lb
- Rudd 1lb
- Dace 7oz
- Roach 1½ lb
- Carp 40lb
- Pike 15lb
- Chub 4lb
- Perch 2½lb
- Barbel 10lb
- Eel 3lb
The number of specimen prizes awarded annually will be decided by the Committee.
6. The Alan Wolfe Memorial Trophy will be presented to the captor of the specimen fish considered most noteworthy by the Committee.
7. The Abrey Challenge Cup will be awarded annually to the member weighing -in the heaviest Roach of the season.
8. Specimen fish must be weighed in on the bank by a club member and a witness, using calibrated scales with a clear photograph of the fish and captor. Claims to be forwarded to the Hon. Secretary, giving name, address, membership number, weight and type of fish, where caught and date of capture within seven days.
MATCHES
9. All matches shall be fished to the latest revision of the NFA Model Match Rules unless otherwise noted in the following Rules.
10. The draw, fishing start and finish times of all matches shall be as stated on the Membership Card.
11. The draw at all matches will begin at the stated time under the supervision of the Match Captain or Acting Match Captain. After the draw has begun any late arrivals shall wait until the draw has been completed and all competitors have moved off before entering the match.
12. In pegged down matches late arrivals will be barred from competing, if, at the time of their request to enter all pegs have been taken. Entry to matches with other Associations must be made at the advertised time. Otherwise, a Member may enter any match up to 12 noon by stating their intention to compete to the Match Captain or Acting Match Captain.
13. No Member entering for any match is allowed to fish or groundbait at the venue for the match during the 24 hours preceding the match.
14. In roving matches no competitor shall overtake the one in front after moving off until the competitor drawn before him has selected his swim or passed the swim the following competition wishes to fish. No competitor may fish within 15 yards of another except in the case of the Ballast Pit where the limit will be 10 yards.
15. For the purposes of the matches the Society waters are divided into a number of referenced sections, these being:
16. In roving matches no competitor shall overtake the one in front after moving off until the competitor drawn before him has selected his swim or passed the swim the following competition wishes to fish. No competitor may fish within 15 yards of another except in the case of the Ballast Pit where the limit will be 10 yards.
A. Ensfield Bridge to Leigh Footbridge
B. Leigh Footbridge to the Haysden Flood Barrier
C. Flood Barrier to Barden Park
D. The Sports Ground
E. Cannon Bridge downstream from The Town Lock
F. Hartlake Bridge upstream to Eldridges Lock
G. Hartlake Bridge downstream to the end of the waters
H. Long Reach & Bungalows
J. Haysden Lake
K. Barden Lake
L. Longfield Lake
M. Old Ballast Pit
N. Muck Stream to Boathouse
NL. New Lagoon
S. Swanmead
WW Weirwood
CHEESEMAN CHALLENGE CUP
17. Match dates and times can only be varied by giving seven clear days’ notice.
18. There is no limit to the number of bleak, ruffe, gudgeon or other coarse fish weighed in except pike, non native and game species ie trout/sturgeon should be discounted.
19. Wading is permitted up to the knee OR the angler should be able to touch the bank with fingertips in which case water can extend above the knees.
One day match fished to size limits at the discretion of the Match Captain.
Eels, Ruffe, Bleak and Pike are barred. The weighing in of more than three undersized fish will disqualify the competitor from the match.
ABREY MEMORIAL CUP
One day pegged down match.
W.TIBBETS LADIES CHALLENGE CUP
One day pegged down match for Lady Members.
CHAIRMAN AND 1966/67 COMMITTEE TROPHY
One day pegged down match. Grubs, maggots, chrysalis and wasp comb may not be used as bait or groundbait in this match.
R. WILLIAMS CHALLENGE CUP
One day pegged down match. Only maggots and chrysalis may be used as bait or groundbait in this match.
PADLEY BOWL
One day pegged down match. Junior Members are also eligible to compete for this trophy.
RESTOCKING CUP
One day pegged down match. Proceeds from this match will go to the restocking fund.
BILL MITCHELL MATCH SPECIMEN CUP
The cup will be presented to the captor of the best specimen fish caught in a club match that qualifies for a the match championship, considered most noteworthy by the Committee.
ALL ROUNDER TROPHY
This cup to be presented annually to the member gaining the most points in a 5 match series comprising of the feeder, float only, pole, pike and cane & pin matches.
ACA CUP
One day pegged down match
NORMAN HOUGHTON CUP
This cup to be presented annually to the member gaining the most points in a six match series.
MATCH CHAMPIONSHIP CUP
For the Member weighing in the heaviest total bulk weight of fish in all official matches fished within Society waters, excluding Open, Weekday, Pike and Can & Pin Matches. Each competitor must fish a minimum of eight matches to qualify.
JOHN ANSCOMBE O.A.P. CHALLENGE CUP
Presented to the heaviest individual match weight recorded during the Season by an OAP
BOB CHAPMAN POLE CUP
One day match, Pole and whip methods only to be used.
MATCH RECORDER CUP
One day match.HARRY FOWLER MEMORIAL BOWL
One day open charity match.
JUNIOR MATCH SECTION
Boxall Shield
Open to all junior members – one day match.
