Goldrush returned to the limelight after a lengthy spell in the doldrums by topping Saturday's 46-entry angling match at the Willows.

Tony Hewson led from peg 54, where he offered pellets up in the water for a mixed bag of carp, tench and skimmers to 1lb and a total weight of 41lb 2oz.

Best of the rest was Andy Gallant (Bob.Co), who alternated pellet and cat meat at 13 metres from Ridge Pool 18 for carp and tench to 5lb in his 32lb 15oz.

Others: Dave Cam (Bob.Co) 32-0-0; Dave Armitage (Hirst Tackle) 31-4-0; Matt Osbourne (Bob.Co) 29-3-0; Mick Lodge (Dick Clegg Ossett) 25-12-0.

The Abu-backed spring series continues to attract sell-out entries of 40 to Carpvale, where Mel Eardley (Armley Angling) led the Leeds-based tackle emporium's domination of Sunday's contest.

At peg 21, he fished a method feeder tight to the overhanging willow and alternating between worm, corn and meat baits he bagged a luck 13 carp for his 44lb 4oz.

Andy Gallant (Armley Angling), at 'form' peg 17, he fished pole and worm over chopped into open water at 10 metres. He was got seven carp and three bream for his 34lb 10oz.

Others: Geoff Wilmore (Armley Angling) 32-4-0; Dave Wright (Armley Angling) 30-0-0; Steve Mather (Armley Angling) 27-12-0, Steve Bowyer (Army) 25-10-0.

In last Wednesday's 32-peg match Dave Wright (Armley Angling) gained his second successive bag of over 100lb. From peg seven he took a few early carp on cat food close in before a switch to bomb and bread saw him haul out the bulk of his 116lb 8oz net.

Bernard Guy (East End Park), at peg, used floating bread for his all- carp 59lb 4oz.

Others: Andy Gallant (Armley Angling) 49-8-0; Graham Broadley (York) 39-8-0; Dave Spence (York) 36-0-0.

Acomb Tackle group have had two good contests on the Back Pond at Oaktree Leisure, Huby.

Rod Chalk won the first with an impressive 40lb 4oz of small carp. He used pellet at five metres.

Others: Steve Hodson 31lb, Jack White 21lb 12oz, Dave Rollinson 17lb 4oz and Lin Brind 16lb 8oz.

Barry Richardson won the match last weekend with 38lb of bream and carp taken on pole and corn at 3 metres.

Others: Kev Ellerby 35lb, Adam Robinson 31lb 10oz, Steve Hodson 26lb 8oz and Mick Brind 19lb 8oz.

Thursday's 46-entry match at the Oaks was won by Dean Smith (MAP Elton) with 48lb 12oz from peg 49. Fishing pole and pellet at 13 metres tight to the island, he netted carp to 3lb.

Bert Poole (MAP Elton) had fish to 5lb in his 47lb 14oz taken on pole and cat meat at 10 metres from peg 51.

Others: Pete Barron (Middy Teams Dons) 47-12-0; Rob Minikin (Harrogate Angling Supplies) 47-4-0; Roger Holmes (MAP Elton) 46-12-0.

The Sunday open match was switched to Alder and Poplar Lakes, with Alder to the fore.

Ian Exley (Middy Teams Dons) led from peg 14. He used 16 metres of pole to reach the far bank reeds, where he found 38lb 8oz of small carp.

Dave Rawson (Wibsey Angling) had best weight from Poplar with 31lb 8oz of carp to 5lb on pellet at 13 metres from peg 54.

Others: John Kenning (Snaith) 30-12-0; Stuart Turner (GTI Wakefield) 25-0-0; Andy Stoner (Merlin Baits) 23-8-0; Mark Calvert (Cleveland Angling Centre) 21-4-0.

Updated: 11:59 Wednesday, May 22, 2002