ANGLING: Bob Griffiths was the clear winner of Barnton and Frodsham AC’s midweek match on Wednesday at Heesom’s Pool. He fished caster on the pole at six metres to take skimmers and roach for 6-3-0.

Second was Arthur Kenney, peg 18, who finished with 4-11-0 of roach and skimmers with Mike Smith third with 4-9-0.

Bites were hard to come by for most of the young anglers at the Junior Cistern for the club’s annual Christmas Match on Saturday. The eight-12 years group was headed by Jamie Stebbing who had a few small roach and a decent skimmer to weigh-in 1-10-0. Trailing some way behind in second place was Callum Stagg with 0-2-8 followed by Aron Coppack with 0-1-0.

In the 13-16 years section, Ben Moores nicked the top spot with a last-minute tench which boosted his net of small roach and rudd to 3-1-0. Edged into second was Stephen Finney who put 2-14-8 of tench and roach on the scales. Gareth Evans was third with 1-6-0 of small fish.

On Sunday the River Weaver’s Willow Beds length was the venue for the club’s regular weekend match. Steve Walker won with 10-4-0 of skimmer, roach and a bream of around 2½ lbs. Second was Peter Moore with 3-6-0 with Chris Parry’s 3-4-0 third.

Triumph on the Trail

ATHLETICS: Vale Royal completed a hat-trick at the Sandstone Trail race 2008.

In the A race, Tom Annable took the plaudits leading home a 144-strong field across the 27.5k route in one hour 59mins 35secs. Following in Vale Royal colours were: Dave Gough (14th, 2:12:42), Olivia Renshaw (15th, 2:12:57), Jo Molyneux (90th, 2:47:15), Paul Clutterbuck (103rd, 2:52:28), Stephen Bradshaw (132nd, 3:20:22).

In the B race, George Thompson set the standard for the 131 competitors finishing in first place along the 17k course in one hour nine mins 57secs. Also for Vale Royal: David Haines (16th, 1:25:45), Mary Tavener (31st, 1:34:04), Barry Chambers (43rd, 1:38:58) and Janet Snow (68th, 1:45:10).

Vale Royal also claimed team honours in the A race thanks to Annable, Gough and Renshaw while Thompson, Haines and Tavener earned second place for the Bs.

The club’s athletes head to Birmingham this weekend for the senior and junior British Road Relays at Sutton Park.

Riders in the top ten

CYCLING: Weaver Vale members enjoyed excellent conditions for the final road race of the season at Great Budworth.

Taking their place among the 24-strong field were WVCC representatives Craig Lee, Nic Butterworth, Andrew Poole, Kevan Underhill, Dave McKay and Gary Date, making his first appearance in a road race.

The tough seven-mile circuit was negotiated seven times but despite the fast pace, Weaver Vale saw Lee, Butterworth, Poole and Underhill in the top ten.

McKay crossed the line in 18th with Date close behind. The race was won by Halesowen CC rider Alister Clay in two hours 26mins.

Sunday’s club run, bound for Summer Trees near Kelsall, will leave the British Legion car park, Hartford at 9.30am. Monday club nights continue at same venue at 8.30.

Ben soon in top form

COLLEGE SPORT: Sir John Deane’s rugby team ran riot last week beating Wallasey Consortium 60-7. Ben Cooper led the way with four tries.

Both the first and second football teams enjoyed comfortable victories over Wigan and Leigh College. The firsts won 5-0 (Leon Robinson 2, Joel Robinson 2, Kurt Davies) while the seconds won 8-1 (Matt Small 2, Pat Cooke 2, Ben Singh, Elliot Gorst, James Mason, Jack Whittle).

Two teams moving well

CHESS: Northwich’s B team enjoyed a single-point victory at Widnes B in the Warrington and District League while the C team sealed a 3-2 victory at Formby.