COMPETITORS in the Wilts Angling open match fished at Rood Ashton on Thursday enjoyed excellent sport.

Dave Bancroft, of Trowbridge, won with a carp catch weighing 92lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished cat meat on a 12 hook. Glen Wicheard, of Melksham, was second with another carp catch weighing 84lb 6oz, taken on pole-fished cat meat on a 12 hook. Similar tactics gave third prize to Fred Eagles, of Trowbridge, with another carp catch weighing 41lb 10oz.

Other placings: 4 Mike Withy, Westbury, 33lb 10oz; 5 Gary Dallimore, Frome, 27lb 5oz.

The Friday evening match at Ivy House produced even weights. Gary Etheridge, of Devizes, won on a low weight evening with a carp catch weighing 38lb 2oz, taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 14 hook.

The opening Chippenham match of the season fished on the Avon at Chippenham produced excellent sport.

Andy Pratten, of Melksham, was second with a chub catch of 10lb 3oz, taken on stick-floated casters on an 18 hook. He was followed by Bob Derrick, of Melksham, with a mixed catch of chub and roach weighing 8lb 10oz, taken on stick-floated bronze maggots on an 18 hook.

Other placings: 4 Marcus Crook, Melksham, 7lb 12oz; 5 Rob Bullock, Chippenham, 5lb 12oz 8dm; 6 Mark Wooldridge, Chippenham, 5lb 9oz.

Despite plenty of boat traffic the Airsprung evening match on Friday produced reasonable weights on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Bradford.

Kelvin Oliver, of Bradford, won with a mixed catch of skimmers and roach weighing 6lb 10oz, taken on pole-fished pinkies and squats. Steve Green, of Trowbridge, was second with a mixed catch of perch and roach weighing 6lb 2oz, taken on pole-fished chopped worm on an 18 hook.

He was followed by Wayne Henley, from Trowbridge, with a mixed catch of skimmers and roach weighing 4lb 2oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 20 hook.

Other placings: 4 Lee Ovens, Trowbridge, 3lb 15oz; 5 Bill Turner, Trowbridge, 3lb 4oz; 6 Steve Spratt, Trowbridge, 2lb 11oz.

Weights were fairly even in the Wilts Angling open match fished at Todber Manor on Sunday.

Nick Johns, of Trowbridge, won with a carp catch weighing 66lb 15oz, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook.

Gary Dallimore, of Frome, was second with a carp catch weighing 65lb 13oz, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook.

Liam Braddell, of Warminster, was third with a carp catch of 61lb 10oz, taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 12 hook.

Other placings: 4 Ian Willetts, Bradford, 57 lb 4oz; 5 Pete Neate, Holt, 46lb 6oz; 6 Mick Gunning, Trowbridge, 44lb 10oz.

Future events: July 3, Chippenham junior match at Pockeridge; Calne junior match at Hazeland; July 4, Ridgeway match at Landsend Fishery; Avon Commercial League match at Barton Farm; July 5, Chippenham evening match at Chippenham; July 6, Calne evening match at Hazeland; July 7, Devizes evening match at Crookwood Lake; Bathampton open match at Bridge and Withy Pools; July 9, Airsprung match K & A Canal Hilperton.

by Colin Scull