GREAT Somerford angler Dr Mark Everard, who recently took a catch of four 2lb-plus roach from the Avon at Somerford, has had further success.

Fishing during the first hour after darkness Mark took another brace of big redfins, with specimens of 2lb 3oz and 2lb 1oz. Mark took his fish legering with bread flake with a liquidised bread swimfeeder to tempt the fish.

Mark, who has concentrated on roach fishing, has written a book, The Complete Book of Roach, which will be published in the summer.

Competitors struggled to catch fish in the Ivy House Fishery Wednesday open match after heavy frost.

Andy Dixie, of Ivy House, won with a mixed catch weighing 4lb 2oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots. Elick Payne, of Chippenham, was second with another catch of small fish weighing 4lb, also taken on pole-fished red maggots.

There was a tie for third spot between fishery owner Jo Warner and Swindon Talisman matchman Derek Hillier, both with weights of just 2 lb.

The Airsprung match was fished on the Avon on the Pond Field stretch at Bradford in poor weather on Sunday.

Barry Oakford, of Trowbridge, won with an all-roach catch weighing 10lb 5oz, taken alternating with pole-fished red maggots and hemp. Ian Stainer, of Bradford, was second with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 6lb 14oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook. Dave Targett, of Bath, was third with a roach and skimmer catch weighing 6lb 3oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Other placings: 4 Richard Stainer, Trowbridge, 5lb; 5 Mike Jefferies, Bath, 4lb 7oz; 6 Adrian Parrish, Trowbridge, 4lb 2oz.

Despite heavy rain falling throughout the match, weights were good in the Chippenham open fished on Sunday on the Avon at Chippenham.

Steve Saunders, of Bath, won with an all-bream catch weighing 11lb, taken on feeder-fished worm on an 18 hook. Runner-up was Paul Rice, of Calne, with a bream catch weighing 10lb, taken on pole-fished worm on an 18 hook. Stuart White, of Chippenham, was third with an all-bleak catch weighing 8lb 12oz, taking his fish on whip-fished bronze maggots on an 18 hook.

Other placings: 4 Mick Ash, Chippenham, 7lb 10oz; 5 Mark Wooldridge, Chippenham, 7lb 5oz; 6 Andy Gabb, Swindon, 7lb.

Competitors braved wet and windy weather for the Wilts Angling open match on Sunday at Landsend Fishery.

Fred Eagles, of Trowbridge, won with an all-carp catch weighing 26lb 8oz, taking his catch on pole-fished white maggots on an 18 hook.

Runner-up was Nick Johns, of Trowbridge, with a mixed catch of carp and silver fish weighing 22lb 6oz, taken on pole-fished casters on an 18 hook. He was followed by Pete Neate, of Holt, with a carp and chub catch weighing 18lb 5oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook.

Other placings: 4 Barry Fitchew, Clevedon, 9lb 12oz; 5 Geoff Matthews, Trowbridge, 9lb 8oz; 6 Mick Gunning, Trowbridge, 6lb 2oz.