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ANGLING

All the up-to-date news from the 2006-2007 Boston and District angling scene

With Barry Mallett

Angling news October 2006

Round-up for week ending October 29, 2006

It was a complete washout last Wednesday, events putting much-needed colour into our local waterways. But there was nothing significant to follow up that meant, come the weekend, those same waters had more or less returned to normal — very little flow and colour.

The second round match of the East Coast Junior League took place at St Peters Bridge on the Middle Level Drain on Saturday October 28 and produced some good weights despite a strong wind whistling straight down the drain. This made presentation difficult for the younger anglers fishing the pole. But match winner John Houlton from Lincoln employed feeder tactics to land three good bream to go with a few pole caught roach. He more than doubled the next best weight, that of Boston’s Reece Dillamore who made second place his own with a good net of roach and small skimmers.

Together with a fourh place from Nicholas Wright, great support from James Taylor and Relly Dawson, the Boston Green team won the day ahead of Lincoln and behind them Holbeach and King’s Lynn. And they now lead the league by a comfortable eight points. King’s Lynn at present their nearest rivals.

Individual results: 1 John Houlton, Lincoln A, 16lbs 2ozs; 2 Reece Dillamore, Boston Green, 7lbs 15ozs; 3 Kyle Woodhouse, Lincoln A, 6lbs 13ozs; 4 Nicholas Wright, Boston Green, 6lbs 2ozs; teams on the day: 1 Boston Green 10pts; 2 Lincoln A 14pts; equal 3 Holbeach and King’s Lynn Gold 15pts; equal 5 Kings Lynn Blue and Lincoln B 18pts; after two rounds: 1 Boston Green 17pts; 2 King’s Lynn Gold 25pts; 3 Holbeach Red 29pts; equal 4 Lincoln A and Boston Red 37pts. The next round match will take place on the Foss Dyke Canal at Lincoln Sunday November 12. Any anglers wanting to fish should contact League Secretary Dave Rance on (01529) 461 415.

Boston Youth Angling Club presentation night is Friday November 24 at the Unicorn Inn, Tattershall Road, Boston. All trophies to be returned by Saturday November 18 please.

It was a completely different ball game on Sunday as light winds, bright sunshine and little flow and colour greeted the 100-plus anglers to the Bargate Drain. Following in the footsteps of the Bateman Cup, this third round Boston winter league match promised to be just as hard for most competitors. And so it proved to be as only around half of those managed more than 1lb, even taking the prolific Windsor Bank sections into account.

Unlike last week, though, the match winning individual weight was taken from here and from an unlikely peg at that. In addition those claiming the other major prizes were also pegged in the same vicinity, most of which were on the upstream side of Vauxhall Bridge. Topping this list was Chris Elsom who again tasted victory after taking the Boston Benevolent match a few weeks ago. Different tactics this time around, as he fished the pole and pinky quite close to the bank for a good net of mainly skimmers.

Likewise, stable-mate Andy Dixon, who failed to make double figures but won this battle for the runner up position with Grimsby angler Mick Tamms. Mick also took a good weight from the next peg to the winner using similar tactics and only just managed to hold on to that third position. Fourth spot fell to Andy Scott who emerged top dog from the downstream side and slaughtered all those around him, whilst Justin Rose and Jim Whitmore filled the final two places from pegs back above the bridge.

After a near disaster the previous round the Boston team put in a much better performance this time around and although having to give best to the Lincs Co. White team they held on to second spot ahead of Ashfield Anglers by the skin of their teeth, and actually increased their lead to three points.

In Division Two, the Foxmatch Millview outfit struck the front with a solid all-round result, three of the four taking second in section on the day. That helped them to leapfrog the Castle Inn, who had a comparatively mediocre day in sixth, and now lead the league by four points and a full 10 ahead of Wainfleet and Holbeach.

Individual results: 1 Chris Elsom, Sensas Lincs County White, 13lbs 1oz; 2 Andy Dixon, Sensas Lincs County Red, 9lbs 4ozs; 3 Mick Tamms, Foxmatch Grimsby, 8lbs 6ozs; 4 Andy Scott, Boston, 8lbs 3ozs; Justin Rose, Dynamite Mayfair A, 8lbs; 6 Jim Whitmore, Wainfleet, 7lbs 14ozs; teams: Division One: Sensas Lincs County White 45pts; 2 Boston A 40pts; 3 Ashfield Anglers 38pts; 4 Sensas Lincs County Red 36pts; equal 5 Dynamite Mayfair A and B 35pts; Division Two: 1 Foxmatch Millview 46pts; 2 Wainfleet AC 43pts; 3 Boston Angling Centre A 40pts; 4 Lincoln Whisby 39pts; 5 Holbeach AC 38pts; 6 Castle Inn 37pts; after three rounds, Division One: 1 Boston 110pts; 2 Ashfield Anglers 107pts; 3 Sensas Lincs County Red 104pts; 4 Sensas Lincs County White 94pts 5 Dynamite Mayfair A 93pts; 6 Dynamite Mayfair B 90pts; Division Two: 1 Foxmatch Millview 124pts; 2 Castle Inn 120pts; 3 Wainfleet AC 114pts; 4 Holbeach AC 113pts; 5= Boston Angling Centre B & Lincoln Whisby 101pts.

Competition is even fiercer in the race for the individual titles as only a handful of points covers the top 10 in each division. Consistency and a bit of luck at the draw bag is the name of the game and in Division One Burgh’s Russ Parsons has used his skills in the right place to top the list after these three rounds. Snapping at his heels are both Barry Wigginton and Paul Pettener who are tied just a single point down on Russ. Even tighter in Division Two where Boston’s John Briggs occupies pole position alongside March angler Steve Burridge with Mark Cook one point adrift in third.

Division One: 1 Russ Parsons, Burgh, 35pts; equal 2Paul Pettener Dynamite Mayfair and Barry Wigginton, Ashfield Anglers, 34pts; 4 Andy Scott 33pts; equal 5 Andy Dixon, Sensas Lincs County Red, and Alec Rawlings, DSC1, 30pts; Division Two: equal 1 John Briggs, Boston Angling Centre A, and Steve Burridge, Foxmatch Millview, 35pts; 3 Mark Cook, Fishtoft AC B, 34pts; 4 Alan Palmer, Holbeach AC, 33pts; equal 5 Sue Russell, Graham Neal, Paul Greewood and Greg Brown 31pts.   

Fishtoft AC members are notified that they should meet 7.30am Sluice Bridge on Sunday November 5 for a sweep on local waters.    

Round-up for week ending October 22, 2006

Maestro Bontoft hooks cup individual honours

It was quite a breezy and fairly soggy weekend, but fortunately mainly dry during daylight hours.  Air temperatures remain above average for the time of year but those recent rains have lowered water temperatures to the cause decreasing fish activity, to the detriment of both match and pleasure catches alike.

The heavy rain finally descended upon the Batemans Cup match that, this year, was organised on the Bargate Drain and attracted 30 teams of three. Those previous downpours already ensured a much patchier outcome to all sections on Windsor Bank to go with an already dire Horncastle Road. A few days can make a big difference as only a week before, that very town length had produced good nets of small skimmers to the vast majority of those pegged along there. 

Anyhow, to the job in hand and while the Windsor Bank sections produced reasonable backing weights, it was left to the maestro, in the shape of Dave Bontoft (albeit with the aid of an end peg), to land the top individual prize. Concentrating entirely on tip and chopped worm he tempted three good tench and a few odd perch and skimmers to hold a 4lbs plus advantage on Chris Mawer. Chris in turn put clear water between himself and third placed Russ Parsons, both in fact being pegged close to bridges, Chris at the swimming pool footbridge and Russ first above Vauxhall bridge. Don Green just held on for fourth being pegged near Wheelers Close, a single ounce ahead of Neil Smithson as Chris Howard also took close order and completed the top six line-up.

Team-wise another tight finish was on the cards and it was really nip and tuck as only nine points covered the top eight. So tight in fact that the top two, namely The Ball House A and E teams, actually tied on points and so had to be separated by aggregate weight, which in the end gave the cup and champions title to the A team – 15lbs 14ozs against the E team’s level 13lbs.

The Londesborough Arms (Metheringham) teams threatened to spoil the party but two of the three being pegged adjacent to each other actually did more damage, I would suggest, to themselves more than anyone else. They finally had to settle for third, tied fourth and eighth places respectively at the end of the day.

Teams: 1 The Ball House A 72pts (15lbs 14ozs); The Ball House E 72 pts (13lbs); 3 Londesborough B 68 pts; equal 4 The Ball House B, Londesborough C and The White Hart (Old Leake) 67pts; 7 The Ball House D 65pts; 8 Londesborough A 63pts.

Individuals: 1 Dave Bontoft, Londesborough C, 15lbs 2ozs; 2 Chris Mawer, Castle Inn A, 10lbs 13ozs; 3 Russ Parsons, Ball House A, 8lbs 9ozs; 4 Don Green, White Hart, 7lbs 7ozs; 5 Neil Smithson, Londesborough B, 7lbs 6ozs; 6 Chris Howard, Ball House A, 7lbs 3ozs.

Section boards:  A1/1 Don Green, White Hart, 7lbs 7ozs; A1/2 Trevor Ogilvie/Howard Kaye 4lbs 6ozs; A2/1 Chris Mawer, Castle A, 10lbs 13ozs; A2/2 Chris Howard, Ball House A, 7lbs 3ozs; B1/1 Neil Smithson, Londesborough B, 7lbs 6ozs; B1/2 Dave Rowley, Railway A, 6lbs 2ozs; B2/1 Russ Parsons, Ball House A, 8lbs 9ozs; B2/2 Danny Pettigrew junior, Coach & Horses A, 5lbs 15ozs; C1/1 Dave Bontoft, Londesborough C, 15lbs 2ozs; C1/2 Richard Creasey, Napoleon Inn, 1lb 4ozs; C2/1 Dave Creasey, Ball House C, 4lbs 13ozs; C2/2 Bill Copley-Dunn, Railway C, 3lbs 2ozs.

The previous day’s match on the River Witham went a long way to prove the aforementioned point as nigh perfect conditions greeted the dozen or so anglers to the Pound length. Reasonable weights of mainly skimmers to pole and big maggot as Bob Walker wrapped up proceedings from peg 10 to leave the rest struggling to make 5lbs, which second placed Rob Johnson just managed to achieve.

There were similar weights off the River Bain at Coningsby where Chris Chapman emerged the winner of the Stickney AC sweep on Sunday. Most chose pole and breadpunch tactics to record nice weights of mainly small roach under good conditions for that water which nowadays suffers from mainly drier winters and therefore lack of colour. Results: 1 Chris Chapman 7lbs 4ozs; 2 John Briggs 5lbs 7ozs; 3 Andy Dillamore 4lbs 6ozs. 1 Bob Walker, Angling Star, 7lbs 7ozs; 2 Rob Johnson, Bourne MG, 5lbs; 3 Kevin Rice, Sheffield, 4lbs 7ozs.

The Fishtoft AC match on the Twenty Foot Drain at Guyhirn was won by a street, but everyone (except Rod) agreed that Rod Asher was ‘pleasure fishing’ compared the others. A combination of 4 metre whip and big maggot for mainly Rudd gave him a full 9lbs advantage over Ben Brighton as Jerry Clifton took third spot another pound or more down. Veteran Barry Hudson, also in double figures, got some of the action and beat a much ‘younger’ man in the form of Terry Gooding for fourth place. Results: 1 Rod Asher 21lbs 10ozs; 2 Ben Brighton 12lbs 10ozs; 3 Jerry Clifton 11lbs 5ozs; 4 Barry Hudson 10lbs 11ozs; 5 Terry Gooding 9lbs 7ozs.

Next Sunday there is no club sweep as most members are involved in the third round of the Boston Winter League, which again will be taking up most of the available pegs on the Bargate Drain. See notice boards for details please.

Round-up for week ending October 15, 2006

Kirsty claims top honours after tense battle

Temperatures remain way above average for mid-October and there is only a gradual decline as the colder nights start to take their toll. A cooler and cloudier weekend than of late unfolded as an easterly wind got up on Sunday to take the edge off results on events around the area.

First in question was the opening round of the East Coast Junior League which took place at Sharps Bridge on the South Holland Drain where seven teams of four representing Boston, King’s Lynn, Holbeach and Lincoln took part. That sharp easterly wind blew straight down the drain to affect the result as anglers in some sections struggled for bites.

Nevertheless a good battle developed between local angler Alan Smith (Holbeach) and Kirsty Reed (King’s Lynn) who were pegged side by side in D section, finally sorted as Kirsty finished just two ounces ahead with a mixed bag of roach and perch. Both anglers fished maggot and pinkie over chopped worm at 5m and so well and truly consign Relly Dawson’s long pole tactics for roach into third spot.

Individuals: 1 Kirsty Reed, King’s Lynn, 6lbs 13ozs; 2 Alan Smith, Holbeach, 6lbs 11ozs; 3 Tyrell Dawson, Boston Green, 5lbs 5ozs; 4 Danny Martin, Lincoln B, 4lbs 2ozs; 5 Hannah Kitchen, Boston Red, 3lbs 12ozs.

Boston Green anglers James Taylor, Nicholas Wright and Tyrell Dawson all managed section wins and together with Reece Dillamore ran out comfortable team winners ahead of King’s Lynn and Holbeach.

Teams: 1 Boston Green 7 pts; 2 Kings Lynn Gold 10 pts; 3 Holbeach Red 14pts; 4 Boston Red 16pts.

Next match will be at King’s Lynn on Saturday October 28 and any individual anglers or teams of four under-18s wanting to enter this league should contact league secretary Dave Rance on (01529) 461415. Matches take place from October through to April 2007.

I cannot say that the Boston and District Angling Association winter league was similarly affected but the Horncastle Road sections, which of course face an easterly, turned out to be very patchy indeed with very few small fish to be had from most pegs. Having said that, it was an unfancied peg above the cemetery footbridge that provided the winner, and another beyond that, the second place. The manner of the victory was well overdue as tench re-emerged from their slumbers at long last to give John Dawes a stunning victory. Taking three of those, together with a few skimmers and perch to chopped worm he held off Paul Underwood, who included a couple of bream in his second placed catch. After that it was mainly ounces to a couple of pounds with the odd tench bringing those fortunate anglers section wins. A totally different story from Windsor Bank, where weights of roach and skimmers in the 6lbs to 11lbs range were commonplace, from one end of the match length to the other.

Topping this particular list and in third spot was Paul Sterland near Wheelers Close, who managed to hold Newark ace Mark Nesbitt at bay. In turn Mark clung to fourth ahead of team mate Paul Pettener by a single ounce. Two of ‘The Biz’ outfit in the shape of Chris Howard and Dave Simpson, were also snapping at their heels in the next two positions, a few ounces down. 

It was all-change in the team stakes as the Boston team fell by the wayside in Division One and limped home in eighth place. They still top the leader board by a single point but ‘The Biz’ produced a superb performance to win the day. They finished well ahead of a trio of Newark based teams in the shape of Dynamite Mayfair, Ashfield Anglers and Mayfair Newark – only two points covering those three.

Division Two saw an equal fall from grace by a Holbeach team who led by 10 clear points after round one but now find themselves back among the pack in a tied fourth place after a disastrous ninth placing in round two. A mediocre start saw Foxmatch Millview in a middle position after the first round, but with two section wins and a second to their credit they took this match by storm, beating local teams Castle Inn and the Boston Angling Centre’s B and C outfits into the minor positions.

Individuals: 1 John Dawes, The Biz, 15lbs 8ozs; 2 Paul Underwood, Tackle 4U, 14lbs 11ozs; 3 Paul Sterland, Mansfield Piscatorial, 11lbs 2ozs; 4 Mark Nesbitt, Ashfield Anglers, 10lbs 14ozs; 5 Paul Pettener, Dynamite Mayfair, 10lbs 13ozs; 6 Chris Howard, The Biz, 10lbs 10ozs; 7 Dave Simpson, The Biz, 10lbs 4ozs.

Teams: Division 1: 1 The Biz 42pts; 2 Dynamite Mayfair 34pts; equal 3 Mayfair Newark and Ashfield Anglers 33pts; 5 Sensas Lincs County Red 32pts; 6 Mansfield Piscatorial 30pts. After two rounds: 1 Boston 70pts; 2 Ashfield Anglers 69pts; 3 Sensas Lincs County Red 68pts; 4 Dons Saturday Club 1 59pts; equal 5 Mansfield Piscatorial and Dynamite Mayfair 58pts.

Division Two: 1 Foxmatch Millview 46pts; 2 Castle Inn 43pts; 3 Boston Angling Centre C 37pts; 4 Boston Angling Centre B 36; Tackle 4U 35pts; equal 6 Fishtoft AC B and Lincoln Whisby AS 33pts. After two rounds: 1 Castle Inn 83pts; 2 Foxmatch Millview 78pts; 3 Boston Angling Centre B 76pts; equal 4 Holbeach AC & Tackle 4U 75pts; 6 Wainfleet AC 71pts.

Sections: Division One, 1a Mark Nesbitt, Ashfield Anglers, 10lbs 14ozs; 1b Paul Sterland, Mansfield Piscatorial, 11lbs 2ozs; 2a Graham Ellis, Foxmatch Grimsby, 8lbs 6ozs; 2b Paul Pettener, Dynamite Mayfair, 10lbs 13ozs; 3a Russ Parsons, Burgh, 5lbs 0½ozs; 3b Don Green, Dons Saturday Club 1, 1lb 11½ozs; 4a John Holmes, Mayfair Newark, 4lbs 12ozs; 4b John Dawes, The Biz, 15lbs 8ozs.

Sections: Division Two, 1a Dave Priestley, Foxmatch Millview, 6lbs 6ozs; 1b Ernie Heseltine, Boston Angling Centre B, 9lbs 5 ½ ozs; 2a Phil Jackson, Castle Inn, 9lbs 12ozs; 2b Nathan Underwood, Tackle 4U, 3lbs 4ozs; 3a Steve Burridge, Foxmatch Millview, 1lb 9ozs; 3b Ben Brighton, Boston Angling Centre C, 3lbs 8 ½ ozs; 4a Peter Smith, Castle Inn, 1lb 1oz; 4b Paul Underwood, Tackle 4U, 14lbs 11ozs.

Fishtoft AC will meet on Sunday October 22 at 7am at Algakirk for a visit to the Twenty Foot Drain.

On Sunday October 22 the Bateman’s Cup will also take place on the Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain, and possibly some pegs on Horncastle Road. Would pleasure anglers please consult noticeboards before attempting to fish. The same goes for the following Sunday (October 29) when the drain will host the third round winter league match. Forthcoming matches also include an open match on the Foss Dyke Canal between Saxilby and Drinsey Nook on Sunday November 5 organised by Lincoln AA. Tickets at £14 all-in can be obtained from Frank Butler on (01522) 534174.

Round-up for week ending October 8, 2006

Slender margin but Gary has the edge

It was another very pleasant autumn weekend after such an unsettled and, at times, wet week. Not an awful lot was happening on the actual fishing front as most local clubs have now finished their scheduled programme of summer matches.

Fishtoft AC took a chance on a visit to the Swineshead Bridge section of the South Forty Foot Drain. I say ‘took a chance’ as this particular venue really only comes into its own as winter sets in and usually provides superb fishing right up the season’s end. Some anglers were, indeed, disappointed with only a few ounces or a pound or so to show for their efforts. But the bigger picture shows that there are many skimmers and roach, albeit on the small side, already in residence.

Proof of the pudding, so to speak, came from the top three prize-winners who finished the day in close proximity weight wise with Gary Shinn coming out top dog. He headed second placed Mick Whitham by just 2ozs leaving Danny West, even with a specimen perch of 2lbs 3ozs as a bonus, nearly a pound behind the winner. Results: 1 Gary Shinn 7lbs 5ozs; 2 Mick Whitham 7lbs 3ozs; 3 Danny West 6lbs 7ozs.

Nothing very startling in the Stickney AC match on the Cemetery length of the Bargate Drain where Steve Evans easily wrapped things up with a bonus tench of 4lbs 13ozs. Take that fish out of the equation and a net of small fish still gave Steve a comfortable win as those alone more than doubled the next best weight of Andy Dillamore. With no bonus fish to add to a few little roach and perch, Andy struggled to clear the 2lbs mark, which was what John Briggs and the others failed to do. Results: 1 Steve Evans 9lbs 13ozs; 2 Andy Dillamore 2lbs 1oz; 3 John Briggs 1lb 8ozs.

This gap in major events gives me a chance to highlight both the problems that beset the present day angler as well as the enhancements that the Boston and District Angling Association bring about for all classes of angler. They both initiate and help pay for many benefits from income received through membership yearbooks as well as that from the thriving match scene through ticket sales for those seasonal matches.

First the problems, which do always appear to be on the increase, as many a regular discussion in local tackle shops would soon reveal. The recent spate of warmer and longer summers really does nothing to provide better match and pleasure weights for the vast majority. Combine this with a policy of ever ‘cleaner’ water, the extra and prolonged weed growth, which is apparent to all, actually prohibits fishing in many significant areas of our local drains and rivers, bringing much frustration all round. In addition the large influx of peoples from our European neighbours has put extra pressure on enforcement agencies as many of these immigrants see our course fish as a natural part of their staple diet. This situation is not one peculiar to our local area around Boston. My regular contacts with colleagues from other parts of the country reveal a similar story and we should all be on our guard against illegal fishing in all its forms, especially if it be long lining or gill netting.

On the plus side, all anglers are being treated to a better, safer and hence more comfortable fishing environment in the shape of platforms and better parking facilities around the area. Much has been done in recent years and paid for by a triple alliance between Boston Borough Council, Boston and District Angling Association and, not least, the Environment Agency.

The main beneficiary has been the Bargate Drain which boasts those platforms on much of its length from Cowbridge to the outfall at Mount Bridge, benefiting everyone and especially those residents with limited mobility. I briefly mentioned new initiatives in a recent column and I can now report that work is in full swing to provide more of the same, and even better, on other waters. Funded by the Recreational and Environmental Enhancements in Lincolnshire Project (REEL), fully disabled platforms, ordinary platforms and better parking is being provided on the South Forty Foot Drain at Wyberton Chain Bridge. In addition the Northlands Bridge section of the Sibsey Trader Drain is also a beneficiary of this funding as ten enhanced platforms and improved parking is also at present being constructed, and given a fair wind both of these projects should be completed before the years end.

Next Sunday sees the second round of the Boston and District Angling Association winter league take place on the Bargate Drain with very few pegs available for pleasure anglers, who should consult noticeboards before attempting to fish on any reserved pegs.

Round-up for week ending October 1, 2006

Mark gets off to a winter league flyer

Having passed the autumnal equinox I expect things to go downhill from now on. But at present, temperatures remain on the high side for the time of year. Things were rather soggy at the weekend with heavy downpours, both on the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

But it wasn’t enough to dampen enthusiasm as the first round of the Boston and district Angling Association Winter League got under way on both the Windsor Bank and Horncastle Road sections of the Bargate Drain. Things were a bit grim in some parts, but most of the 27 teams of four (competing in two divisions), found the going okay as good nets of both roach and skimmers were to be found in both areas.

The Mount Bridge to swimming pool length provided by far the most consistent weights and just upstream from that bridge, Boston’s Mark Griggs got off to a flying start with a winning net of mainly skimmers to pole, squatt and pinky. Another Boston angler Danny West who chose similar tactics, but who — in this series — is taking part under the Ashfield banner, closely followed him home. Just 3ozs separated him from another Boston team member in the shape of Andy Scott who in turn held the same advantage over Lincs County angler Andy Dixon.

Many other weights were brought to scales in the 5lbs to 8lbs category. But we switch to Horncastle Road to find the fifth placed angler John Bishop, who included a fine tench to beat yet another Boston man, in the shape of Steve Winter, into sixth place. Steve, incidentally completed quite a lucrative and enjoyable weekend by taking ninth place overall and a section win in the NFA Individual national championship on Saturday on the Aire and Calder Canal.

As you may have guessed from these results, the Boston team took the honours with some ease in this first round match as three other teams — Ashfield, DSC 1 and Lincs County Red — tied for second place in division one. Holbeach AC opened up a sizeable lead in division two as each team member came home with double figure points from their respective sections and already hold a ten point lead over second placed Wainfleet AC — but indeed there’s a long way to go with another four rounds yet to be contested for the league titles.

Individuals: 1 Mark Griggs, Boston, 10lbs 7½ozs; 2 Danny West, Ashfield Anglers, 9lbs 5ozs; 3 Andy Scott, Boston, 9lbs 2ozs; 4 Andy Dixon, Lincs County Red, 8lbs 15ozs; 5 John Bishop, Holbeach AC, 8lbs 9½ozs; 6 Steve Winter, Boston, 8lbs 8ozs.
Teams: Division One, 1 Boston 43pts; equal 2 Ashfield Anglers, DSC 1 and Sensas Lincs County Red 36pts; 5 Burgh 34pts; 6 Mansfield Piscatorial 28pts. Division Two, 1 Holbeach AC 50pts; 2 Wainfleet AC 42pts; equal 3 Boston Angling Centre B, Castle Inn and Tackle 4U 40pts; 6 Fishtoft AC B 37pts. Div One sections: 1a Mark Griggs, Boston, 10lbs 7½ozs; 1b Danny West, Ashfield Anglers, 9lbs 5ozs; 2a Andy Scott, Boston, 9lbs 2ozs; 2b Barry Wigginton, Ashfield Anglers, 7lbs 1oz; 3a Paul Pettener, Dynamite Mayfair, 7lbs; 3b Kev Wilson, Foxmatch Grimsby, 4lbs 10½ozs; 4a Steve Winter, Boston, 8lbs 8ozs; 4b Keith Dobson, DSC1, 3lbs 4ozs. Div Two sections: 1a Jim Whitmore, Wainfleet AC, 3lbs 7ozs; 1b Darren Croft, Holbeach AC, 7lbs 7ozs; 2a Pete Harker, Wainfleet AC, 7lbs 2ozs; 2b Alan Palmer, Holbeach AC, 4lbs 15ozs; 3a Ann Balderson, Boston Angling Centre A, 2lbs 4ozs; 3b John Bishop, Holbeach AC, 8lbs 9½ozs; 4a Ian Brodie, Wainfleet AC, 5lbs 6 ½ozs; 4b Sue Russell, Boston Angling Centre, and Mark Cook, Fishtoft AC B, 1lb 4ozs.

Bradley AC members from Grimsby fished many of those Windsor Bank pegs the previous day, and were not disappointed as most anglers brought good nets of skimmers to scales. Top man here was Graham Ellis who won the match with over a pound to spare from a peg in front of the swings. Next up, from adjacent to the footbridge, was Chris Whitehead who managed to hold off organiser Mick Hall and keep him in third spot, a single ounce above Dave Tuck. Results: 1 Graham Ellis 9lbs 5ozs; 2 Chris Whitehead 8lbs; 3 Mick Hall 7lbs 6ozs; 4 Dave Tuck 7lbs 5ozs.

The previous Saturday saw the Liam Wilson Memorial match take place on Priory lakes. After overnight rain the match started in thick fog but finished in brilliant sunshine. Using both lakes and attended by over 80 anglers, most of Liam’s angling friends and family – along with his hero Bob Nudd – had a great day in spite of the carp refusing to feed on the big lake. The event was sponsored by local companies, including Nationwide Crash Repair Centre and KMB Ltd together with Boston Angling Centre who donated a pole for the raffle. A total of £362 was raised for the two charities of the Pilgrim Hospital accident and emergency and Asthma UK.Four times world champion Bob Nudd not only fished the match but also presented the trophies to the worthy winners.

Overall match winner was nine-year-old Leighton Holland who used ground bait feeder from peg 14 for 29lbs 5ozs. Other positions: 2 Alistair Wood 23lbs 6ozs; 3 Brian Barton 17lbs 9ozs; Year 8 and under: 1 Leighton Holland 29.5ozs; 2 Ali Wood 23lbs 6ozs; 3 Jonathon Taylor 16lbs. Year 9 and over: 1 Daniel Austin 4lbs 9ozs; 2 Joe Paton 2lbs 7ozs; 3 Reece Dillamore 2lbs 5ozs. Mixed Pairs winners were Leighton Holland and Shaun Higgingbottom. Next year the match will take place on September 22.