The big angling event this weekend is Sunday's Hospital Cup match on the Ouse below York.

The level of the Ouse is still very low and clear for the time of year. If there is not significant rain before Sunday the usual matchwinners - bream and skimmers - could be hard to find.

The Noakes Cup match two weeks ago, when fewer than a handful of bream were caught by the thirty or so competitors, is probably a useful yardstick for this Sunday's event.

With the Winter League season looming and no confusions over bookings a better entry can be expected this time out, with both banks likely to be required.

I fancy that perch could play a large role in deciding the outcome. Pegs in the pumper at Fulford and in the paddock below the by-pass bridge on the same bank offer a better than average chance of a big Sergeant Major.

The only other match bookings on Sunday are at Beningbrough Park, where Burton Stone club anglers will be seeking to tempt some of the small barbel that have been showing well recently, and on the Wharfe at Healaugh, where perch provided the only action in last week's Tadcaster open match. Pudsey Royal anglers are the visitors this weekend.

Tang Hall WMC hosts the delegates meeting for the York and District Winter League next Tuesday. Team registration will take place, and notices of motion for the annual meeting, which will be held at the same venue on October 29, can also be tabled.

Teams not registering on the night will have one week to contact the league secretary, Carl Pringle, or their place could be lost.

Dates for the series are: November 30, December 28, January 4, January 18, February 1, February 15, and a reserve date of March 14.

Weekend bookings:

Saturday: Acaster - Local AC.

Sunday: Donkey Woods/Fulford - York and District Amalgamation of Anglers; Palace Ings - John Smith's Hospital Cup; Beningbrough Park - Burton Stone Lane WMC AC; Tadcaster Healaugh Manor - Pudsey Royal AC.

Updated: 11:27 Friday, October 10, 2003