PERSISTENCE paid off for Darren Mulheir in Sunday's Winsford Weaver Winter League match, writes JOHN STUBBS.
He had enjoyed little response from peg 205 - and indeed his neighbour and record holder Maurice German had packed up his things and left - when the fish started to bite.
And they did not stop, as the last Cast Red teamster overtook everyone to win with 28-13-0.
He even edged out Last Cast Blue expert Ernie Ayers who must have been hopeful his 28-1-0 would be enough.
Placed were Brian Hawkins (Meadow Bank B) 22-0-0, Ray Thompson (Rudheath) 16-15-0, Terry Kettle (Rudheath) 11-11-0 were all placed.
The efforts of Thompson and Kettle helped Rudheath to the day's team prize, but they could not stop Hazel Grove storming to the overall title.
Trevor Birch and Ian Bailey tied on 87pts for the series' top individual award.
Despite the extra water of late, the Weaver is holding up well and there were good weights at the Winsford Open, topped by Stuart Brown with 26-10-0 off peg 189. Tim Wright 22-14-0 and Brent Pierpoint 14-8-0 were placed and there were section wins for Cliff Bratt 14-6-0 and Simon Wilkinson 13-2-0.
Reg Evans drew peg 13 and found it lucky at the Northwich Open. A bream, skimmers and roach were in his winning bag of 11-8-0, which was challenged by Ian Courtney 10-6-0, Kev Simpson and Chris Grehan, both 8-2-0.
Mike Appleton landed nine crucians and a few roach to win Barnton-Frodsham AC's fur and feather match at Heesom's Pool on Sunday.
Pink, caster and pole at 11m was his method and he won easily, landing 6-0-6 to 2-6-76 from Dave Blears and 2-5-9 by Arthur Kenney.
Wednesday's match on the same venue was much closer: Peter Harradine 6-6-0, Ian Morrison 6-0-0, Craig Ritchie 4-8-8.
Alan Birchall (Wigan) with 10-2-0 won the Meadow Bank Open. Ian Shaw (Barlows) had 8-6-8 and Alan Hamlett (Vale Royal) 7-15-0.
Colin Abbott pulled clear in the Winsford Veterans Border match, eventually taking 45-0-0 to ease away from Ian Shaw 38-0-0 and Harold Jones 32-0-0.
Section winners were Lionel Sheen 28-12-0, Ted Isherwood 12-8-0, Eric Gillett 8-0-0, Lol Bradley and Kevin Storey both 7-12-0.
Weaver Matches Winsford: Saturday - Open, Marina & Red Lion; Sunday - Rake & Pikel, Marina.
Northwich: Saturday - Open, 44-73; Sunday - North Wales WL; Barnton-Frodsham, 40-1-420.
Also, Winsford Vets at Meridian, Border on Tuesday.
