Sunday sees probably the most eagerly awaited match on the local match scene of all time in the Reelcare Cup Final at Longbridge Lake.

And the icing on the cake for the large crowd of spectators expected at Longbridge will be the appearance of Carbotech's Steve Jackson who several million keen anglers watched live on Sky win the £25,000 winner takes all Fishomania final last week.

Jackson is a larger than life character and was a tremendous ambassador for match fishing in his amazing victory. Sunday will give locals a chance to see Jackson in action on the area's most prolific venue.

Reelcare's Willie Skipp can't believe his luck in drawing together such a fabulous mix of local talents and south west match anglers for his final.

Nine teams of four line up for what is without doubt going to be the best final in the 20 year history of the knockout cup.

Carbotech Select, consisting of probably four out of the top 50 anglers, in the whole country, are without doubt the best side on paper.

They paralysed the opposition in their heat putting a massive 213lb of fish to the scales from a poor draw and look unbeatable.But the superstars were humbled in last year's heats when finishing fourth and not making the final.

For Carbotech to win, they are going to have to overcome last year's winners Eastleigh, who are now fishing under the Homestores banner.

The team includes probably the three best anglers on Longbridge over the last two years in Ray Hayward, Graham Tappenden and Marc Illingworth, and it's certainly one of those three who will take close to 80lb individually to the scales to make it very difficult for them to be beaten.

If Carbotech v Homestores isn't enough, add Team Sillybait consisting of four of the south-west's top anglers including reigning Skol British champion Alex Murray to the equation.

Sillybaits walked away with their heat and won the cup three years ago, and warrant the utmost respect.

Poingdestres have dominated the Knockout Cup for the history of the event, in the late 80s till late 90s, but it's four years since their name was last on the cup.

In last year's dramatic final they were overhauled in the dying moments by the then Eastleigh squad. Skipper Clive Egerton and his squad deserve victory after last year's near miss but will need to draw well to contain Carbotech and Homestores.

Two years ago, Cormorants Team Sillybaits were running riot and were unbeatable on the venue but that dominance is a thing of the past.

Although the squad of Dave Hambridge, Richie Yeo, Graham Maton and Steve Rochester are still right at the top in local match terms, this year's final could be beyond them.

However, their superb victory in the cup two years ago, inspired by one of the greatest individual performances of all time on the venue by Steve Rochester, will still be in a lot of people's minds.

When sides of quality anglers like Wessex Angling and the Eastleigh Squad led by the ever youthful Bob Drew are rated as comparative outsiders it's a reflection of the quality of the opposition. Either squad will do tremendously to make the top three.

Veterans Davis Tackle, with an average age of nearer 60, are wonderful characters and will make the day that more special just by being there. They will create a major shock if they win.

While mighty minnows Woodington Feeds, who have pulled off two of the biggest shocks in the competition by qualifying for the last two finals, will have to create an even bigger shock to make the top three in such a fabulous line up. A

Draw takes place at 8.30am, fishing 10am-4.pm. Odds: 10-11 Carbotech Select, 11-10 Homestores Select, 7-2 Sillybaits, 5-1 Poingdestres and Cormorants Team Sillybaits, 8-1 Eastleigh and Wessex, 12-1 Davis Tackle, 15-1 Woodington Feeds. Individually, 15-1 Jackson, Woodhouse, Salisbury, Tappenden, Illingworth and Hayward, 20-1 bar.