TEENAGER Michael Sherlock proved age was elementary as he finished third for Willaston Reds in the Wirral Winter League match at Wardle on the Shropshire Union Canal.

The 13-year-old brought in 5-9-6, including a 2-0-0 roach, and was supported by Brian Woods with 1-5-3 as Willaston finished third, leaving them fifth in the overall league table.

Willaston Blacks fared better as they won the match and moved up to third in the table thanks to the efforts of Mike Lomax with 2-4-10, Gordon Griffiths with 2-6-10 and Barry Davies with 1-14-2.

Geoff Dentith won the Wednesday match at Tarvin Sands Fishery with a carp-based 54-4-0. He beat Ron Kinsella with likewise for 43-8-0 and John Hammond with 40-12-0.

Jimmy Thompson was the Saturday match-winner as he took carp and bream for 30-14-0, ahead of Dave Blears with the same for 25-12-0 and Phil Mayers with 23-10-0.

Jeff Williams took all-roach to win the Rake and Pikel AC match at the Aerosol length on the River Weaver in Winsford. His haul weighed 4-10-0 compared to Jimmy Page with likewise for 3-9-0 and Tony Bentley with 3-4-0.

Ron Evans was top rod at the Saturday invitation match of Holt and Farndon AC on the River Dee at Holt. With chub and roach weighing 28-12-0, he saw off Dave Richards with 19-8-0 and Fran Green who tied with Alan Dove, both with catches weighing 15-8-0.

In a good weekend, Ron then also won the Grosvenor Estate AC match on the River Dee at Eccleston with small fish weighing 2-0-0. That was enough to beat John Morton with 13-0 and Norman Cadman with 11-0.

Rod n' Reel are now firm favourites to take the North Wales Winter League championship after finishing second on the Shropshire Union Canal on Sunday at Hodnet.

Trevor Jones, of Airbus, won with roach for 10-10-0. Tony Dean, of Rod n' Reel, was second, taking 7-3-4 of roach and skimmers, and fifth was Danny McLoughlan, of Chester Tackle Locker, with 5-4-0.

Rod were second on the day with Chester third and Airbus fourth. With one match to go, Rod n' Reel have a clear five-point lead in the series.

Shaun Sandham topped the Tuesday Rovers AC midweek match at Milton Green Fishery. His victory was down to carp weighing 55-0-0, better than Sam Kennedy with 51-0-0 of carp and Gary Vincent with 38-0-0.

Fisherman's Tackle improved their standing in the Heronbrook Fishery Winter League after finishing fourth in Sunday's match. They moved up to eighth overall after Gary Bough won his section with 34-12-0 of barbel, Steve Carrier landed 23-0-0 of carp and Phil Henry brought in 12-8-0.

George Mitchell led the way in the Mickle Trafford AC match at Dearn-ford Hall Fishery. His brace of rainbows weighing 4-9-0 beat Alan Bell's brace to weigh 4-0-0 and John Chamberlain's 3-10-0.