A TOTAL of 33 anglers were competed to win the Association Shield, but with the first overnight frosts of the season arriving during the week preceding the match, coupled with cold rain on the other days, meant a tough days fishing was to be expected, writes Alan Hughes.

The total match weight on the day was 24lbs 1oz at an average weight of 12ozs per angler.

The top three teams were Reading Fishing Club with 8lbs 11ozs, TRBLAS with 7lbs 10ozs and Courage with 5lbs 13ozs. The match was won by Mick Fairey of Reading Fishing Club.

Fishing the first peg downstream of Berkeley Avenue road bridge on Beat 5B section, he banked a chub of 4lbs 14ozs and perch, fishing a combination of pole, stick float and waggler tactics, with single and double maggot, and worm on the hook, over hemp, caster and maggot feed, to record a weight of 5lbs 7ozs.

Peter Godfrey of TRBLAS was second overall. Fishing the last peg on the venue on Beat 4B section, Godfrey secured one chub of 3lbs 8oxs, along with perch, roach and dace, fishing pole tactics, with single and double maggot on the hook to record a weight of 4lbs 14ozs.

Andy White of Courage was third. Fishing the fourth peg upstream from Berkeley Avenue Road Bridge on Beat 5B section, he banked one chub of 2lbs 8ozs and bits, fishing a combination of stick float and waggler tactics with single and double maggot on the hook to record a weight of 2lbs 10ozs.

Fourth place went to Robbie Stephens (YOTAC 21 Club) with 1lb 12ozs.

The total section weights were – A Section Beat 4B: 6lbs 15ozs, B Section Beat 5A: 6lbs 11ozs, and C Section Beat 5B: 10lbs 6ozs.

TRBLAS top the Club Championship with 98lbs 15ozs and Courage follow with 92lbs 1oz.

The individual aggregate weight trophy is headed by Ian Claridge with 19lbs 1oz and in second place is Godfrey with 18lbs.

John Jackson tops the points table with 34 followed by Claridge and Godfrey with 30 points each.

The rest of the season’s matches will be held at Froxfield on the Kennet & Avon Canal.