The Anglers World team competing in the Division One National on Hampshire's Basingstoke Canal had a narrow escape as they avoided relegation by a single point.

On a blistering hot day many anglers struggled with tiny roach and odd tench providing most of the action.

South Bank's Paul Burton performed well to earn 57 points out of a maximum 66. However, the rest of the York-based contingent would probably rather forget the whole affair.

The team's score of 283 points saw them finish in 62nd place, a mere one point ahead of relegated Briggg Whizzo, who scored 282.

Shakespeare Redditch won their second title in three years ahead of Daiwa Gordon League and Wigan. Halifax were the top-placed Yorkshire side in fourth.

Ian Walker (Lower Wharfe Angling) topped the Tuesday evening contest on Ridge Pool at the Willows beating off a 33-strong field.

Drawn on peg 15 he used pole and caster across to the bay for 28lb 8oz of ide to 3lb. Dave Cheetham (Castleford) was on 27, where he used pole and paste for a level 27-0-0 of carp to 4lb.

Others: Tony Hewson (Armley Angling) 23-6-0; Paul Gallagher (Willows) 23-0-0; Dennis Geldard (Boston Spa) 22-10-0; Barbara Jeffries (Armley Angling) 16-4-0.

Ray Wright topped the Black Horse club match at the Oaks on Sunday from peg 41 on Alders Lake.

Choosing to target small fish he pole fished caster for 20lb 14oz of small roach, ide and barbel.

Best of the carp weights went to Chris Vipas with 19lb 8oz ahead of Peter Brookes 15lb 8oz and Mick Dodd with 13lb 6oz.

What a belter at the Oaks on Sunday with over 50lb needed to win every section the 51-pegger must be the best match on the improving Maple Lake.

Mark Calvert (MAP Elton) led the rout from peg 17. Hampered by a strong wind he opted to fish down the track where he found the fish queued up in the deeper water.

Cat meat fished at seven metres accounted for 66lb 12oz of fish to 2lb.

The same method was also twigged by John McGarell on nearby peg 23. He fished down the track and to the aerator for his 61lb 6oz bag of fish to 3lb.

Others: Bert Poole (Oaks) 58-12-0; Ray Singh (MAP Elton) 58-0-0; Dave Pimlott (Keenets Elton) 56-15-0; John Chapman (Keenets Elton) 55-6-0.

The Thursday evening match saw Rab Ogilvy (Oaks) top the 38 pegs on Maple Lake with 71lb 8oz.

Fishing pole and pellet at 12 metres he found some quality fish to 7lb on peg five. The consistent Dean Smith (MAP Elton) used the same attack at peg 43 for his 71lb.

Others: Ian Bayley (Harrogate Angling Services) 63-13-0; Tom Kaye (Oaks) 59-3-0.

Wednesday saw 68 on Skylark and Partridge at Woodlands. Graham Towhey (EJ Tackle) continued his good form with victory from Skylark four. Paste over pellets at seven metres located a steady stream of mirrors and commons to 4lb for 71lb 6oz.

Ronnie Wilkinson (Newman Scotts) took second on pole and pellet at 13 metres from Partridge 33 with his 69lb 14oz mixed bag.

Others: John McGarell (MAP Elton) 69-0-0; Mick Phillips (MAP Elton) 64-14-0; Ray Singh (MAP Elton) 64-11-0; Steve Raper (Normark) 62-9-0.

The Saturday open drew 52 to Swallow, Mallard and Dragonfly. John Allerton (Tircast Whizzo) enjoyed an easy win from Swallow 14 with 90lb 15oz.

Fishing at 17 metres to the corner of the island he alternated bread and meat hookbaits for a fine mixed net that included carp to 8lb and 25lb of barbel. Andy Hampson (Hirst Tackle) was on Dragonfly six where he also went out to 17 metres to reach the island. He found carp in the 4to 5lb class with corn for his 71lb 4oz.

Others: Dave Pimlott (Keenets Elton) 56-9-0; Mark Coyne (Cleveland Angling Centre) 56-3-0; Ray Singh (MAP Elton) 54-12-0; Dave Harris (Cleveland Angling Centre) 53-7-0.

The three-hour match record went during the 17-peg Thursday open. It was in-form man Ray Singh (MAP Elton) who sped to the hefty bag from Partridge 15. Fishing pole and meat up in the water he bagged an all carp 80lb 14oz.

Others: Phil Sellars (Elton Tackle) 74-5-0; Vince O'Connor (MAP Elton) 51-8-0.

Despite the bright conditions and heavy boat traffic the Ure at Boroughbridge was in good form for the 33-peg Fire Brigade Charity that raised £240. Organiser Kevin Adcock led from peg 15 on the cow drink where he used waggler and caster for 20 small chub and 18lb 8oz. Tony Hewson (Armley Angling) was on the Hawthorn where he netted a brace of 3lb chub plus roach for his 11lb 13oz.

Others: Bob Sinclair (Boroughbridge) 10-4-0; Graham Brammer (Boroughbridge) 6-4-0.

An unfancied peg below Hutton Beck produced in Sunday's 47-entry Ripon open on the Ure. Drawn 212 Albert Heaps (Leeds) swapped baits on the stick float to take seven chub on bread and quality perch and dace on caster for his winning 21lb 8oz. After a biteless three hours Don McAllister moved down his peg to target a near side willow. He bagged three chub on loafer and bread and around 40 dace on stick and caster for 16lb 14oz.

Others: Graham Skirrey (Turners Tackle) 15-13-0; Paul Wood (Airborough) 13-8-0; Robin Pickles (KL Tackle) 12-14-0.

Updated: 12:16 Wednesday, August 21, 2002