AFTER six days of fierce competition and some truly exceptional fishing, Richard Rumney has been crowned champion of Cofton Holidays’ 2025 Autumn Cofton Cup, landing an impressive 103lb 05oz from peg 13 to take home the £500 top prize and his name on the prestigious Cofton Cup trophy.

The twice-yearly Cofton Cup, held at the award-winning Devon holiday park’s four scenic fishing lakes, drew 45 skilled anglers from across the UK, all battling for a share of the prize pot, a place on the prestigious Cofton Cup trophy, and of course, bragging rights until spring.

Tight Lines and Top Performances Set on Mamhead Lake within Cofton Holidays’ four-lake complex, anglers faced changing weather, fierce competition, and plenty of edge-of-the-bank tension on their quest for glory.

The week began with fireworks as Andy Bishop stormed ahead on day one with 107lb 10oz, narrowly beating Tony Rickard’s 106lb 13oz and sending an early warning to the rest of the field.

Rumney showed quiet consistency from the start, qualifying for the final with 76lb 04oz, while Gary Hennesy set an unbeatable Silver Fish marker of 18lb 07oz, a total that held firm throughout the week.

Momentum shifted on day two as Ade Holland produced 97lb 08oz, with seasoned anglers Clive Handcock (78lb 10oz) and Steve Prophet (60lb 09oz) also booking their places in the final.

By day three, the drama intensified, Steve Bridle delivered 88lb 10oz from crowd-favourite Peg 15, Craig Smith battled back with 84lb 09oz, and Andy Everill impressed spectators with 79lb 01oz, each earning a seat at the high-stakes table.

Midweek brought rain, wind, and relentless pressure that tested every competitor’s patience. In the Spoon Final, late entrant Martin “Henry Bird” White triumphed with 43lb 09oz, just ahead of Ian Walvin (41lb 09oz). Aneka Woodman also impressed in her debut performance, landing 36lb 12oz from Peg 24 and earning well-deserved recognition and admiration from fellow anglers.

The Plate Final kept the excitement flowing, with Lee Prophet taking top spot on 72lb 09oz from Peg 8, followed by crowd favourite Carol Williams on 64lb 04oz, proudly claiming victory over partner Daryll, and Gary Hennesy, whose late 7lb carp secured him third place with 53lb 06oz.

But it was the final day where legends were made. With pressure mounting and crowds gathered, Richard Rumney delivered the performance of his career, a cool, calculated, and unstoppable 103lb 05oz.

Geoff Boardman claimed second with 60lb 11oz from Peg 1, and Andy Bishop completed the podium with 52lb 06oz, rounding off a thrilling week of competitive angling.

“It’s been an incredible week of fishing,” said Richard Rumney, 2025 Cofton Cup Champion.

“The competition’s been tight, the conditions tough, but the atmosphere here is always brilliant. The Cofton team keep the lakes in great condition. It’s a fantastic place to fish, and I’m proud to see my name on the trophy.”

Fishing with the future in mind, Cofton’s fisheries are managed with sustainability at their core.

Each of the lakes is part of an eco-conscious system designed to balance angling enjoyment and accessibility with habitat protection. The park recently invested £900,000 in environmentally focused projects, transforming its lakes into thriving natural habitats, using vegetation and natural water management practices to keep its lakes healthy, support local wildlife, and ensure top-quality fishing for years to come.

The park’s commitment to the environment has also been recognised nationally, with Cofton named one of the UK’s greenest holiday parks, winning Green SME Of The Year at the Green Awards UK 2025 and Gold for the Sustainability Pioneer Award at the Food Drink Devon Awards.

“We’re proud to see anglers from across the country enjoying what we’ve built here,” said Chris Jeffery, Director at Cofton Holidays. “Sustainability is central to how we run the lakes — from fish care and habitat planting to the wider park’s green energy systems. It’s about great fishing today and healthy waters tomorrow.”

The next Cofton Cup will take place from 26 April - 1 May 2026, promising another week of competitive angling at one of Devon’s most scenic and sustainable fishing destinations.

For more information on Cofton’s fishing lakes, competitions, and holidays, visit www.coftonholidays.co.uk/fishing.