The most successful match angler of the 2002/2003 season hails from York, it's official.

Despite scoring in both weekend matches, Mark Coyne (MAP Elton) could not make up the four-point deficit and finished an agonising point adrift of the ultimate title in match angling. Neither Dean Smith (MAP Elton), nor Andy May (Sensas Daves of Middlewich), acquired any further points leaving them tied on 52 points. York-based Dean took the coveted title of Kamasan Matchman of the Year by virtue of having recorded more match victories than his Cheshire rival.

Not surprisingly it was bream and skimmers that decided the outcome of the final prizes in the sixth round of the Acomb Tackle York Winter League.

Fished on a flooded and rising Ouse below York on Sunday, the field of 95 had to endure about a yard of chocolate-coloured extra water. The Fulford bank fared best taking the top three places. Nigel Rhodes (Anglers Corner) led from peg 30 below the bay where he offered worm and caster with a groundbait feeder for three skimmers and 5lb 8oz.

Mick Potter (Barlby Village Stores) led his team to the league title from the palace bend with 5lb 2oz. Working hard with pole and pinkie at three metres, he had amassed a pound of tiny roach and perch before a surprise bream boosted his net.

Ricky Gaunt (Wibsey Angling) was in the paddock where he had a bream plus perch and skimmers on pole and chopped worm at eight metres for his 4lb 13oz.

Others: Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) 4-10-0; Paul Lansley (Acomb Tackle) 4-1-0; Tim Harrison (Mitre) 3-13-0.

Teams: (Barlby Village Stores 11-7-8; Anglers Corner 10-14-0; Acomb Tackle 10-12-8; (Wibsey Angling 10-6-8; South Bank 9-4-0; Mitre 9-1-0.

Final League: (Barlby Village Stores 85; Mitre 78; Cochranes and Acomb Tackle both 76; (Wibsey Angling 74; Bar Six 64.

Individual: John Cyrowski (Barlby Village Stores) 55; Paul Garnett (Tang Hall Match Group) 54.

A rising Ouse at Thorpe Under-wood provided a stern challenge for the 47-entry final round of the Bob.Co League on Saturday. Martyn Highe (Hirst Tackle) blitzed the opposition again, recording his 19th open match win of an amazing season. Drawn peg 10 he offered a caster feeder with double caster for three chub to 5lb and a weight of 11lb which was more than the rest could muster between them.

Andy Miller (Wibsey Angling) found the days only other chub a fish of 4lb 14oz taken on lob worm from peg 27.

Others: Stan Haigh (Anglers World York) 2-5-0; Norman Thewliss (Hirst Tackle) 1-1-0; Gerry Eastwood (Castleford) 1-0-0; Trevor Hewitt (Hirst Tackle) 0-15-0.

Final League: Stan Haigh (Anglers World York) 54 points and £500; Martyn Highe (Hirst Tackle) 51 points, £300.

It was that man Highe again on Sunday making it 20 wins for the year. The Ouse had risen dramatically overnight and the river at Hunters Lodge was seven feet above normal for the 49-pegger.

Drawn unfancied peg 182 in the Willow Garth, the 'king of the Ouse' tempted seven roach on lob worm for 2lb 10oz. Lee Lawton (Hirst Tackle) was on 208 above the bungalows where he had three eels and a couple of roach also on lob for 1lb 13oz.

Others: Noel Speight (Compton) 1-6-0; Paul Bennett (Wibsey Angling) 1-4-0; Bill Collier (Union) 1-3-8; Craig Turbitt (Wibsey Angling) 1-2-0. Final League: Mick Shaw (Hirst Tackle) 98 points, £400; Paul Bennett (Wibsey Angling) 91, £250; Martyn Highe (Hirst Tackle) 86, £200.

At Carpvale, 24 tackled Cyprio Lake where the winner was Steve Howard (Headingley Anglers) with 36lb 12oz. His winning net consisted of 12 carp taken on pole and corn at five metres from peg 3. The same tactics also scored from peg 15 for Steve Sharples (Armley Angling) who bagged ten fish for his 33lb 2oz.

Updated: 11:01 Wednesday, March 12, 2003