ANGLING: SOME 49 anglers braved the sharpest frosts so far to line the River Weaver bank on Saturday to contest the Northwich Open, writes JOHN BUCKLEY.

Mike Beaumont, on peg one, had the luck and expertise to beat the drop in temperatures and weigh in a respectable 14-12-0, which included four tench up to 3lb, rudd and roach.

He was an easy winner from Ray Rigby (Gaswise) 9-7-0, Mike Fannagan (Rod & Reel) 8-11-0 and Steve Mitchell (Gaswise), who lost what would have been a match-winning carp.

The frost bit at the Flash Fishery where Saturday was bad and Sunday worse.

The Farmer's Arms matches ended: Kenny Taylor 5-8-0, Brent Pierpoint 2-0-0, Terry Kettle, Joey Brooks 1-10-0, and then Kettle 1-8-0, John Beswick 1-4-0 and Bill Bull 1-2-0.

The pre-frost weights at Winsford brought wins for Cliff Bratt and Derek Holland.

Bratt won the Veterans match on Marina and Red Lion from peg 200 with 29-9-0, Alan Birchall had 19-6-0, John Dicken 17-8-0, Red Walsh 16-10-0, Doug Maddock 13-10-0 and Bill Leader 12-6-0. Top three on the Red Lion were Dennis Bailey 9-10-0, Ted Isherwood 7-8-0, Colin Abbott 7-7-0. Average weight per angler: 6lb 12oz.

Weaver Matches Winsford: Today - Winsford Open, draw Marina 9.30am; Saturday - Meadow Bank 1-20; Rake & Pikel, Red Lion; Cestrian, Marina; Sunday - Winsford Winter League, all river; D Hunter, MB 21-40; Tuesday - Veterans, Red Lion & Marina.

Northwich: Saturday - Open, Hunt's Lock & 353-378; Sunday - Huyton, 1-20; Wirral, 25-150.