GARY Etheridge, from Devizes, took top spot in the Wilts Angling Open match at Leech Pool on Sunday, writes COLIN SCULL.

Etheridge reeled in a mixed catch of carp and skimmers weighing 65lb 8oz.

Jim Butcher, from Bradford, was runner up with 56lb of carp.

Pete Neate from Holt clinched third spot with a carp catch weighing 52lb 4oz.

Other placings: 4 Richard Brimble, Westbury 39lb 14oz; 5 Rob Kepner, Melksham 35lb 2oz; 6 Tony Steel, Trowbridge 19lb 8oz.

WITH the river out of sorts on Sunday the Airsprung match was switched to the Moulton Lane stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal where, despite an overnight frost, weights were quite reasonable.

Top honours went to Dean Adams, from Bradford, with 6lb of roach and skimmers.

Bill Turner was next with 5lb of roach and skimmers and Phil Eggleton, from Bradford, came in third with 4lb 4 oz of roach and skimmer.

Other placings: 4 Kevin Hatter, Trowbridge 4lb 1oz; 5 Paul Jones, Melksham 3lb 11oz; 6 Dave Green, Trowbridge 2lb 13oz.

COMPETITORS enjoyed good sport in the Sensas Commercial House League on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Bathampton.

Preston Innovation Thatchers B took team honours in A Division with 32 points while Maver Cadbury Angling topped B Division with 32 points.

Individual honours on the day went to Neil Mercer, of Maver Bathampton Elite, with a roach and skimmers catch weighing 13lb 2oz.

Vince Lunn, of M & N Electrical, was runner up with a roach and skimmers catch weighing 8lb 9oz.

Mike Withy, of Sensas Wilts Angling, clinched third prize with another roach and skimmers catch weighing 7lb 14oz.

Other placings: 4 Robert Randall, M & N Electrical 7lb 8oz; 5 Sean Townsend, Maver Bathampton Invincible 7lb 4oz; 6 Sam Johnson, Maver Cadbury Angling 6lb 12oz.

Teams – A Division: 1. Preston Innovation Thatchers B 32; 2. Preston Innovation Thatchers A 28; 3. Sensas Wilts Angling 26.5. B Division: 1. Maver Cadbury Angling 32; 2. D & W Builders 23; 3. Premier Angling Chippenham 22.

League tables – A Division: 1. Preston Innovation Thatchers A 32; 2. Preston Innovation Thatchers B 29.5; 3. Maver Bathampton Elite 25. B Division: 1. Maver Cadbury Angling 21.5; 2. Frys & D & W Builders 21 each.

THE Landsend Winter League match saw Craig Edmunds of Avon Angling take top honours with 143lb 1oz of carp for an easy win.

Tom Thick, of Thatchers Tackle, was runner up with 95lb of carp, followed by Ken Rayner of Landsend took third prize with a carp catch weighing 75lb 2oz.

The silvers prize went to Gary O’Shea, of Preston Innovation Thatchers, with 14lb 4oz of skimmer.

Other placings: 4 Mark Poppleton, Trowbridge 60lb 7oz; 5. Adrian Jefferies, Avon Angling 54lb 7oz; 6. Gary O’Shea, Preston Innovation Thatchers 45lb.

Future events

Sunday Jan 19: Chippenham match at Chippenham; Wilts Angling match at Melksham; Airsprung v Tisbury match at Barton Farm.

Thursday Jan 23: Bathampton Silvers Champs match at Bridge Pool.

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