THE Kennet and Avon canal turned up the goods again on Sunday when the first of the North Wessex Winter League semi-finals was held on Marlborough's AC waters, four sections at Wolfhall and two sections along the roadside at Little Bedwyn.

It was Wolfhall which produced the top four individuals with three of the top four coming from the top section A.

Double figures were needed to win a section, with all weights mostly made up of roach.

Gary Laidler (Swindon Tribe) had a quiet year in 2003, but he started this year with a fine win with 11lb 14oz, just ahead of Chris Telling (Talisman Gold) who won D Section with 11-8-0.

Lobbies Black Derek Jarman took third with 11-6-0 and Devizes White's Adrian McTiffin kept up a run of form with a fourth placed 10-14-0.

Sections: A 1, Gary Laidler; 2, Dereck Jarman.

B 1, Mick Olden (Devizes Red) 10-6-0; 2, Dave Kirk (Turners Red) 8-9-0.

C 1, Nigel Franks (Devizes Red) 10-8-0; 2, Phil Passmore (Turners Red) 8-11-0.

D 1, Chris Telling; 2, Kevin Rowles (Devizes White) 10-6-0.

E 1, Paul Barnfield (Lobbies Black) 9-5-0; 2, Phil Powell (Tribe) 7-1-0.

F 1, Dave Johnson (Devizes White) 10-5-0; 2, Saun Matthews (Tribe) 8-9-0.

With another semi-final to fish on Devizes AC's Seend stretch, Devizes Red showed their strong presence again taking top spot on the day with 45 points, one ahead of Turners Red.

Full list: 1, Devizes Red 45pts; 2, Turners Red 44; 3, Lobbies Black 41; 4, Swindon Tribe 40; 5, Devizes White 39; 6, Talisman Gold 38; 7, Cotswold B 33; 8, Devizes Blue 23; 9, Cotswold A 16; 10, Lobbies Gold 15.

There was a good turn out for the first Wednesday club match of the year at Greenhill Fishery at Greatfield. It was a hard match but enjoyed by all.

George Baker easily won with 9lb, ahead of Val Hillier's 2-8-0, and there was a tie between Bamber Sainsbury and Dave Lewis for third, both weighing 2-4-0.

Highworth AC's Chub Cup was also a hard affair on the River Thames at Buscot up stream.

Club stalwart Norman Reeves won with two chub for 6-4-0. John Major was second with 2-8-0 and third Nigel Holder 2-4-0.

BCA club had a good match on the Marshes stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal at Hungerford where Cliff Brown won with 8-14-0, ahead of local angler Dave Keen 7-4-0. Third was Derek Hillier 6-15-0 and fourth Sid Webb 6lb.

Ivy House Lakes match results: Wed Jan 7: 1, Glyn Horrocks (30) 13-6-0; 2, John Read (31) 10-10-0; 3, Simon Jones (47) 7-9-0. Friday Veterans: 1, Mike Smith (45) 10-6-0; 2, Don Chapman (46) 7-13-0; 3, John Bailey (47) 5-12-0. Sat Jan 10: 1, Alan Oram (27) 43-15-0; 2, Glyn Horrocks (24) 42-0-0; 3, Ray Russell (23) 21-10-0.

Ivy House Lake AC club membership is due before February 1 the date of their first match. New members are welcome. Please ring Mick on 644449 for further details.

DIARY DATES

Fri Jan 16 and every Friday: Ivy House Lakes Veterans Open.

Sun Jan 18: Peatmoor Junior Winter League round three.

BCA Match ring 705119 for details.

Cloverleaf AC match at Ivy House (new canal section). Draw 9am. Fish 10am to 3pm. Ring Fletch on 614557 to book.

Highworth AC Last Cast Trophy at Roughgrounds lake. Draw in car park 8pm. Fish 9am to 1pm.

Sun Jan 25: Danny Bohane Memorial match on the Devizes AC stretches of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Book on either 693460 (HOA 1) or Neil on 01488 71743.

Tues Jan 27: Upper Thames Protection Society AGM and Open meeting. Find out why the Upper Thames is dry, the gravel pits low and why Swindon is putting a strain on water resources. Three guest speakers at Cricklade Town Hall, 7.30pm.