THE River Weaver, which has lost out in recent seasons to fisheries as a favoured match venue, reminded anglers of its worth this week, writes JOHN STUBBS.

There were good results up and down its length and a three-hour match record at Meadow Bank AC set by Frank Slater.

He caught 44-15-0 worth of bream from peg 15 to blitz the opposition. Timmy Wright took 22-15-0 and John Warburton 13-15-0 to claim the places.

Ironically, the leading positions were reversed at Rudheath SC's Meadow bank match. Wright put 24-7-0 on the scales, Salter 17-12-0 and both were trailed at distance by Jim Young 11-4-0, Larry Bates 8-0-0 and Pete Beesley 5-17-0.

With bream on the feed the Northwich Open also produced good weights on Saturday.

Peg 426 on the oak tree length returned the winner in Derek Bennett (Saints) 32-9-0, who was chased by Martin Lenahan (Bailey's Tackle) 29-10-0, Gary Whalley (Saints) 25-1-0 and Pete Fleming (Drennan NW) 21-0-0.

Andy Hamlett was the man on form in Meadow Bank's weekend matches: Saturday - Larry Bates 25-7-0, Hamlett 22-8-0, Peter Beesley 21-11-0; Sunday - Hamlett 11-0-0, Keith Smith 9-13-0,k Arthur Lacey 9-1-0.

Tim Wright was again a winner, but downstream, in the Barnton-Frod-sham AC Appleton Thorn Cup fixture at Anderton.

He had 20-12-0, including nine bream of up to 3lb, to Mark Emmison's 15-1-0 and Calvin Tagg's 9-12-0.

Emmison stepped up to first in Sunday's club match at Saltersford, catching 14-1-0 by worm on corn from near the far bank. He had four bream, roach and skimmers. Wayne Percival had 8-14-0 and Steve Furfie 6-15-0.

Other results: Wednesday Series, Weaver, Oak Tree - Steve Walker 19-15-0, Percival 7-15-0, Chris Parry 6-14-0; Junior Cistern, Juniors Early Season Series - 8/12s Shane Bellis 6-11-0, Siobhan Finney 2-2-0, Gareth Evans 0-11-0; 13/16s Stephan Finney 17-10-0, Thomas Finney 6-0-0, Nathan Robinson 3-13-0.

Barnton stage a match on Sunday at Heesom's Pool to raise money for St. Luke's Hospice. Draw is at 7.30am, entry for non-members is £6. Contact Peter Moore on 01606 76723.

Rudheath SC, Winsford Flash: Kevin Ashburst 28-11-0, Terry Kettle 26-7-0, Kenny Taylor 21-2-0, Brent Pierpoint 19-12-0.

Winsford Veterans, Border Fisheries: Lionel Sheene 61-0-0, Ernie Ayers 48-0-0, Sam Walton 20-8-0; section winners - Bill Heardley 32-8-0, Doug Mad-dock 20-8-0, Brian Sproston 30-0-0, Pete Wakefield 27-8-0.

D Anglers, Border: Colin Abbott 45-2-0, Brian Dickens 41-6-0, Trevor Jones 39-15-0, John Dickens 38-4-0.

Winsford Flash Open: Kevin Clarke 31-13-0, Dave Mellor 31-5-0, Mick Burkhill 31-2-0, Terry Kettle 15-2-0.

Matches

Winsford: Today - Grange, New Pool; Rudheath SC, Meadow Bank; Tomorrow and Saturday - Meadow Bank AC, Meadow Bank; Friday - D Anglers, New Pool all pegs; Saturday - Fern Villa, Marina; Sunday - Winsford Open, National all pegs; Monday - Winsford, National all pegs; next Wednesday - Grange, Top Flash; Rudheath, Meadow Bank; Feathers, New Pool.

Northwich: Saturday - Open, 1-20, 251-280'; Sunday - Whitworth Valley, 331-350.