ANGLING: LAST Cast teams occupy three of the first four positions after the latest round of the Winsford Winter League, writes JOHN STUBBS.
Once again it was the Marina pegs between the bridges which decided the results of a River Weaver match.
Steve Mottershead drew peg 198 and was the winner with 15-7-0, which edged out Bob Meggs on peg 200 and Darren Mullhare (204), who tied on 15-0-0. Steve Hough 13-10-0 and Steve Walton 12-5-0 were fourth and fifth from neighbouring pegs nearby.
Top team weight on the day was accrued by Last Blue, 37-12-0, and they took the top points, 66, as well.
Last Cast Red were runnersup with 58, Edgeley Sports had 57, Last Cast Gold and Barlows both had 55.
The leaderboard reads: LC Red 253, Edgeley 230, LC Blue 222, LC Gold 219.
Peg 200 threw up the first 30lb-plus bag of the season at the Winsford Open. Its occupant was Steve Walton (Dave's of Middlewich) who won the £50 first prize from team-mate Jimmy Young 26-10-0, Ernie Ayers (Vale Royal) 22-11-0 and Billy Taylor (Winsford) 19-9-0.
Northwich Open was won by Steve Howells (Team Trafford) off peg 403. Two bream and skimmers on feeder did the trick and his 13-14-0 bettered Bob Roberts (Gas Wise) 10-12-0, Dave Holland (Tri Cast) 10-10-0 and Stuart Wardle 10-0-0, who all dropped into the same stamp of fish.
Rain and a stiff breeze made conditions difficult for the 30 anglers who took part in Barnton & Frodsham AC's annual 'Fur & Feather' match at Heesom's Pool on Sunday.
Despite the conditions, Christmas came early for Trevor Jones as he secured a clear-cut victory with a net of 2-5-8. Drawn on peg 16, he landed five palm-sized skimmers plus roach all tempted by big maggot presented at 9m on the pole
Placed were Alan Forster 0-14-6, Chris Parry 0-14-0, Mal Stanley 0-12-6 and George Scat-tergood 0-11-6.
Carp dominated the 20-6-0 bag of Eric Gillett at the Winsford veterans match. I came next with ide, carp, chub, roach and perch mixed into my 18-8-0, and then followed Stan Aston 14-4-0, Gerald Littler 13-8-0, Red Isherwood 11-6-0, Eric Mitchell 10-10-0.
D Anglers on the Aerosol stretch found the water level up six inches but plenty of small fish biting. Brian Dickens claimed most with 4-4-0 from Brian Hawkins 4-0-0, Eric Moore 3-14-8, Paul Harvey 3-12-8 and myself 3-9-8.
Weaver Fixtures Winsford: Today - Open, draw Marina car park 9.30am; Sat -urday - Meadow Bank, 1-20; Wharton Cons, Red Lion; Knight's Grange, Marina; Sunday - Grove Park, MB1-25; Post Office, Marina; Ark, Ferry Steps; Ermine, Red Lion; Rake & Pikel, Aerosol; Winsford Vets, Marina/Red Lion.
Northwich: Saturday - Open, Hunt's Lock and 401-430; Sunday - Winter League, 1-50, 280-353, 353-377, Hunt's Lock.
