A TOTAL of 100 anglers strove for cheers during a pampered day’s sport in the annual Ralph Cobb Memorial match at the Oaktree Leisure complex.

Due to the sponsorship of fishery owners Julie and Tony Bowes, Acomb Tackle and Reel Deal Tackle, the assembled rod-men were treated to beer and burgers delivered to their pegs and a huge array of tackle prizes.

Whether it was the beer, or the fact every peg at the Huby complex was pressed into use to accommodate the sell-out field, the fishing was slightly below-par. Only pond four delivered its usual excellent form.

Mick Atkinson led the way with an all-carp bag of 61lb 8oz. Pellet fished tight to the far bank accounted for most of his net but two late specimens taken on paste in the margins put him well clear.

Gary Pawlett (Oaktree) continued his excellent recent run with a mixed bag on pellet and maggot of 47lb 4oz from the same pond.

The event, held in memory of Acomb Tackle boss Lin Brind’s late father, raised more than £1,000 for the Alzheimers Society.

Both Leeds and Bradford City were due to stage opens on the Lower Aire this weekend so in a rare outbreak of altruism the two clubs decided to pool resources and the Lower Aire Championship was born.

A brilliant entry of 90 anglers enjoyed some good sport from both roach and skimmers as the river fined down after recent prolonged bouts of flooding.

It was the latter that decided the day with Dave Pollitt (Hirst Tackle) making the most of a shoal of skimmers three pegs above the pumphouse at Beal.

Offering worm with a chopped worm feeder, he tempted 14, plus a solitary eel, for a 19lb finish.

Craig Turbitt (Sensas Wibsey) worked much harder for his level 18lb from a peg on the Leeds water at Haddlesey. Fishing maggot beneath a stick float with the long rod, he took 130 roach to 8oz.

Martyn Highe (Hirst Tackle) completed the top three from a few pegs above the winner where he also cashed in on the skimmers.

Result: 1 Dave Pollitt, Hirst Tackle, 19-0-0; 2 Craig Turbit, Sensas Wibsey, 18-0-0; 3 Martin Highe Hirst Tackle, 15-15-0; 4 Chris Gowling, Browning Quaker, 15-4-0; 5 John Illingworth, Bradford, 14-15-0; 6 John Mills, Hirst Tackle, 13-12-0.

Gary Pawlett extended his recent run of good form at the Oaktree Leisure complex with another winning performance at peg 15 on Pond Four.

Corn at 15m to the island margins brought carp to 5lb as he progressed to a 101lb 4oz total. Mel Sykes, who found better carp at peg ten using corn over pellet, occupied second place but his lower strike rate left him some way in arrears with 84lb.

Result: 1 Gary Pawlett, Oak Tree Leisure, 101-4-0; 2 Mick Sykes, Oak Tree Leisure, 84-0-0; 3 Shaun Walker, Reel Deal Tackle, 75-0-0; 4 Dave Sinclair, Oak Tree Leisure, 74-4-0; 5 Gareth Watson, Oak Tree Leisure, 72-4-0; 6 Mick Lyons, Guisley Angling, 54-4-0.

Lee Smith finished tired but elated at the Willows after hauling out a huge 226lb 8oz to win the latest Bob-Co event by a country mile.

Using luncheon meat shallow at 16m in the margins at peg 60, Smith kept in touch with carp throughout and included fish to 8lb in his remarkable haul.

Steve Raper also fished shallow at peg 33 for another carp-dominated net that put 141lb 8oz on the scales to see him finish one place better than the previous week.

Result: 1 Lee Smith, Robin Hood, 226-8-0; 2 Steve Raper, Hirst Tackle, 141-8-0; 3 Andy Barker, JT Rogers, 94-8-0.


Match bookings

Tomorrow

Beningbrough (Park): Shepherds AC.

Park View Lake: York Railway Institute.

Sunday

Acaster: New Earswick AC.

Laybourne (Brown’s): Cygnet AC.

Laybourne (Marley): White Rose AC.

Park View Lake: Huntington WMC AC.

Selby Canal (Fire Station length): Sea Horse AC.

Stamford Bridge: Pudsey Royal AC.

Tockwith (both sections): Burton Stone Lane WMC AC.

Wednesday

Laybourne (Marley, all pegs): YDAA veterans’ Autumn Match. (Marley Pool closed all day).