Pollitt on top of the World

A patchy first round saw the nine teams on a new venue for the League, the River Aire around Beal, near Selby.

Following midweek rain, the water was still a foot above its ideal level and a strong wind also hampered the 90-strong field.

Although roach are the normal target species it was the odd small groups of skimmer bream, prompted to feed by the extra colour in the river system, that decided the individual standings on the day.

Dave Pollitt led for the Wibsey team from peg 54 on the Beal section where he alternated maggot on the pole and the feeder for a 15 skimmer net that weighed in at a creditable 24lb 8oz.

A few pegs lower down the river was experienced Selby rod Keith Mitchell who chose to pole fish maggot and chopped worm at nine metres for a mixed bag of skimmers and quality roach scaling 20lb 10oz.

The best roach weight of the day was taken by Anglers' World star Paul Burton. The South Bank float-ace used stick and bronze maggot under a long rod at peg 11 on the Birkin bank for a fine net of 12lb 2oz.

Others: Trevor Hewitt 11-5-8, Craig Turbitt 11-4-0 and Mick Shaw 10-7-0.

Anglers' World took the honours on the day by the narrowest of margins from Hirst Tackle.

Their scores of 68 and 67 points put them well clear of Wibsey who had to settle for a disappointing third well adrift on 60 points. Best of the rest were Hirst Tackle 'B' with 58, Leeds Angling Centre on 45 and Selby with 43.

Another excellent senior citizen and disabled contest held at Langwith Lakes, Heslington, saw Terry Poole take the honours with a superb carp net of 93lb 4oz.

Drawn on peg 22 on Kevin's Lake, he worked the island margins with worm over caster for his haul.

Peter Utley took second place from peg 28 where he chose to go on a pellet attack for his impressive bag of 83lb. John Coates with 67lb 6oz, Keith Gray on 55lb 7oz and Alex Marklew recorded other top weights with 36lb 10oz.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, October 05, 2005