DESPITE wet and windy conditions 14 junior anglers turned out to compete for the Devizes Angling Association Wiltshire Gazette Cup at Crookwood Lake on Saturday.

The harsh elements made the fishing very difficult and forced all the competitors to huddle under their umbrellas in a bid to keep dry.

But despite the poor weather the junior anglers soon started to catch, with some of the more experienced anglers gaining the edge and building some good weights.

This was a match where correct bait presentation would play a very important role on the final outcome.

Jamie Rowles, son of Browning Masters and Fish O Mania champion Kevin Rowles, showed that he too can win matches and maybe follow in his fathers footsteps.

Jamie, ten, on peg eight, made a really good start catching a good size goldfish soon after the start whistle.

He continued to reel in some good fish steadily throughout the three-hour match and landed a decent sized common carp. He caught a good tench but but unfortunately lost a big carp in a weed bed.

Jamie used a pole fishing in the near margins with caster and luncheon meat on a size 16 hook over a carpet of groundbait and loose-feed to weigh in a total 12lb 8oz to take top honours and win the Gazette Cup.

Nick Holmes on peg six just could not quite secure the number one spot. The experienced junior was catching well but luck was not kind to him as a good tench and carp were lost to a water lily bed.

Nick was using pole, fishing in the near margins against a lily bed to catch the majority of his 8lb 5oz haul, before switching to feeder near the end.

He was fishing with worm, caster and sweetcorn on a size 18 hook over a carpet of groundbait.

It was Nick's older brother Tom Holmes who came third. Fishing off peg 23 he enjoyed an excellent match.

After drawing a peg in a poor area he got his bait presentation right from the beginning.

Using a pole he fished alternately at seven metres and in the near margins. He made the most of his peg and worked hard to land a total of 7lb 1oz of goldfish, skimmers, perch and a tench.

Tom was fishing with worm and maggot over groundbait and loose feed.

Fourth spot went to another experienced junior, Paul Williamson, who was fishing off peg seven.

He worked hard with presentation and different baits to weigh 7lb of goldfish and finish just one ounce behind Tom Holmes.

He was using a pole catching fish both at ten metres and in the margins. Paul was using caster, worm, sweetcorn and luncheon meat, fished on a size 16 hook over a carpet of ground bait and casters.

Results: 1st J. Rowles (12lb 8oz), 2nd N. Holmes (8lb 5oz), 3rd T. Holmes (7lb 1oz), 4th P. Williamson (7lb), 5th R. King (6lb 4oz), 6th S. Henson (4lb 8oz 8dr), 7th M. Nash (4lb 5oz), 8th A. Surman (4lb), 9th T. Bridewell (2lb 12oz), 10th J. Williamson (2lb 7oz), 11th J. Tilley (2lb 7oz), 12th N. Johnson (1lb 8oz), 13th T. Worthy (7oz), 14th L. Holmes (6oz).

Devizes Angling Association senior coach Danny Williamson is preparing for the Junior National South West and Wales Regional Teams of Four Championships which are being held at Crookwood Lake on July 18.

He said: "The match is expected to attract junior teams from all over the South West and could see over 50 competitors visiting the lake."

Competitors have to be under 16-years-old on the day of the match and Devizes are entering three teams run by Williamson.

He added: "The teams will receive expert coaching and tips by some of the top match anglers in the Devizes.

"This year maybe a little early to produce a really confident team but we have some very capable young anglers and a lot of commitment to do well.

"The most important thing though is enjoyment which will be number one on the list.

"The National Federation of Anglers will present prizes on the day and there will be a barbecue and refreshments after the match.

"The Crookwood Lake will make an excellent venue for an event like this."