It takes a lot to make Stan Haigh smile but even the stoical Yorkshireman could not contain his elation as his star-studded six-man team took the prestigious York and District Winter League title from under the noses of arch-rivals Waterline Wibsey.

The Acomb Tackle-sponsored series bowed out on a badly flooded Ouse below York and many of the 90-strong field were blank at the whistle.

A win in the day for Barlby Village Stores brought them within three points of 'Stan's Stars' but his team's total of 2lb 12oz was enough to clinch fourth place and the league.

The tension was on after drawing next to Waterline Wibsey but Haigh led from the front taking seventh place on the day with a miserly 1lb 6oz. Pole and pinkie on the Fulford bank accounted for a tiny roach and perch.

Derek Barker was the other main contributor on a river filled with three feet of icy floodwater. His level pound ensured that last year's league title was repeated.

Peg Four on Kevin's Lake featured strongly again at Langwith Lakes, this time being piloted into first place by Boston Spa-based Denis Geldart. He got the best out of his draw with corn at 12 metres as carp to four pounds came at intervals and he progressed to a 61lb 13oz total.

Dave Armitage of Cleckheaton was second after using pellet across to the island at Bethany's 25 and was keeping pace with the winner until the final hour, but his 49lb 4oz was enough.

The Ouse above York was dropping quickly during the course of the Leeds match at Hunters Lodge and Linton and weights were disappointing as a result, Mark Rockingham's 4lb 14oz being enough to win.

Drawn 267 at Linton, Rockingham offered maggot at ten metres and had a couple of good skimmers an hour into the match. He managed to tease out a further five roach for a clear-cut win.

At 242 on the same stretch, Paul Bennett opted for the crumb feeder with lobworm on the hook. He had a long wait for his first tug but by the whistle he had beaten five eels and a couple of roach for 3lb 4oz and second place.

There were plenty of bites to be had at Raker Lakes despite the cold and Rob Eden tempted around a score of carp with breadflake pushed out to the far shelf at peg 30.

Fish to five pounds responded and his final 43lb 3oz put him beyond reach of Jim Pearson who used corn at 14 metres to enjoy a steady day's sport with carp at peg 12 and he ended the day with 39lb 10oz to his credit.

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, March 01, 2006