MIKE Scott did not quite rule Sunday's Northwich Winter League fixture, but he kept the Vale Royal team in contention for the major honour, writes JOHN STUBBS.
Scott drew peg eight at Hunt's Lock and took second place with 13-13-0, holding off by 10oz Darren Hogg who was sat at the next peg.
Moreover, Scott's performance earned Vale Royal third spot on the day and kept them at number two overall.
Even more effective, however, was winner Jimmy Byrne whose 14-14-0 put Lymm top after three rounds with 119pts, four more than Vale Royal. Edgeley, who won the match, have 105.
Roach and skimmers on pole and caster won the Northwich Open on Saturday for Mark Addy 7-15-0, with Mick Woolvine 7-9-0 and Ray Rigby 7-6-0 placed.
Winsford AA introduced 2,000 roach and skimmers into the River Dane this week and will restock with chub and dace this week, following last year's terrible bout of pollution for which United Utilities was fined.
But the Flash Fishery does not need any help at present. Bream and skimmers answered to feeder method with worm, red maggot and caster for Shaun Bilsbury (Leigh) at peg 34. His 35-2-0 was too good for Sam Pendlebury 30-14-0 and Vale Royal's Terry Kettle 27-14-0.
The Winsford Open also had good weights and Steve Dodd celebrated a win on his first visit to the Weaver this season, amassing 25-15-0 of quality roach and four skimmers from outside the Red Lion. Pegged nearby and placed were Darren Hogg 22-15-0 and Steve Clarke 11-15-0 with Ernie Ayers and Pete Sheckleton section winners.
Barrow Owen, at Heesom's Pool, and Steve Walker, on the Trent and Mersey Canal, were both clear winners of Barnton-Frodsham AC fixtures.
Wednesday, Heesom's Pool: Owen 9-10-0 (roach and skimmers on pinkie and maggot), Terry Middleton 6-6-0, Stan Butterworth; Sunday, 4th round Brown Cup, Canal, Broken Cross: Walker 5-13-2 (roach and gudgeon on bread punch), Alan Forster 3-10-14, Peter Harradine 2-10-12. Walker is the overall leader.
Other results: Winsford veterans, Weaver - (Marina) Derek Nancollis 11-14-0, Eric Gillett 8-1-0, Harold Jones 7-14-0, (Red Lion) Ernie Ayers 14-10-0, Ian Shaw 9-11-0, myself 8-15-0.
D Anglers Fur and Feather, Marina and Red Lion: Trevor Jones 17-14-0, John Dickens 16-8-0, Ally McLeod 9-13-0, Ted Isherwood 9-3-0.
Weaver Fixtures
Winsford: Today and next Wednesday, Open, draw Marina
9.30am; Saturday - Meadow Bank Open, 30 pegs; Aerospace, National; Sunday - Winsford Winter League, all river; Tuesday - Veterans, Marina & Red Lion. Northwich: Saturday - Open, Hunt's Lock, 331-420.
Sunday - Mid Cheshire Winter League 1-150; Lobol 261-280.
