AS the cold weather bites and weights and match turnouts plummet Simon Wilkinson put a bag to be proud of on the scales at the Northwich Mini-League fixture on Saturday, writes JOHN STUBBS.
He drew peg 31 on the boats and took three carp on boilies for a 40-9-0 total and an easy victory, both for himself and for his Middlewich Number One team.
Derek Bibby (Glow Worm) needed a pike of 4 lb to boost his net of small fish to a total 7-3-0, which was enough for second place. Martin Lenahan (Lymm) pinched third place with 5-1-0 and that edged his team into an overall lead with two matches remaining.
On the day: Middlewich No.1 42-0-0, Glow Worms 12-0-0, Lymm 8-4-00, Vale Royal 7-14-0. And overall: Lymm 21pts, Team Trafford Gold 25, Glow Worms 26, Dave's of Middlewich/Loco 27.
Usual hot pegs have been the only ones delivering any kind of success in the past week and arguably the best of all - 200 - won the day for Bill Maylor at the Winsford Veterans' match.
He took skimmers to 2 lb in a total 22-4-0 which no-one could get near, even Ian Shaw and he was on 199. A runners-up 2-11-0 was his reward with Doug Maddfock getting 2-2-0 and Eric Gillett 1-15-0.
Richie Mainwaring was Meadow Bank's top rod and at least competition was closer: Mainwaring 2-14-0, Mike Smith 1-7-8, Danny Griffiths 1-6-0, Ian Buckley 1-4-0, Larry Bates 1-2-0.
Barry Owen returned to winning ways in Barnton & Frodsham AC's Wednesday match at Heesom's Pool. Despite the cold weather the fish were still feeding as Owen put 2-3-0 on the scales from peg 49.
He fished pinkie and worm on the pole at 11 metres to take a succession of roach up to the 6oz mark.
Placed were Ronnie Kinsella 1-10-0 and Wayne Purcival 1-9-0.
Round five of the club's series for the Amanda Lester Cup was held on the Middle and Top Cisterns on Sunday and left Calvin Tagg in pole position.
Maximum points went to Mal Lightfoot with 2-4-12 but Tagg was close with a net of rudd and perch worth 2-1-8. Peter Moore, 1-12-0, completed the frame.
Tagg goes into the last match on 97, Chris Parry 91 and Steve Furfie 89.
Weaver Fixtures
Winsford: Today and next Wednesday - Open, draw Marina 9.30am; Saturday - Meadow Bank, 1-30; Sunday - Winter League, all pegs; Tuesday - Veterans, Marina/Red Lion.
Northwich: Saturday - Mini League, Town Centre, Hunt's Lock, Hule's Island, Lock Street; Sunday - Farmer's Arms, 21-43.
