THE 29-peg open match on the Selby Canal at Brayton produced a terrific contest as organiser Kelvin Weatherall (Selby District Amalgamation of Anglers) recorded what is probably a Selby match record of 21lb 4oz, writes Darren Starkey.

From peg 38 opposite the reeds he chose to fish down the track over a pot of casters and chopped worm. Fishing single and double red maggot hookbaits he bagged a 2lb bream, several skimmers to a pound and more than 80 small hybrids.

Dave Sawyer (Selby) had a similar catch taken on worm over caster for his 15lb 4oz.

Others: Eric Walker (Wakefield) 11-10-0; Terry Small (East End Park) 9-2-0; Pete Riley (Middy Teams Dons) 8-1-0; Andy Barker (Bradford) 7-11-0.

The 40-entry match at Carpvale was won by Mark Wade (Armley Angling) from unfancied peg 2. Fishing pole and meat tight to the bush to his left he dragged 15 carp out the snags but lost several lumps. His 14 fish included fish to 6lb and scaled 41lb 4oz. Andy Dargue (Darlington Angling Centre) was second. From peg 15e he tackled the far side snags at 16 metres with corn. His 35lb catch included carp to 8lb and a 5lb tench.

Others: Bernard Guy (East End Park) 29-8-0; Steve Dodsworth (York) 28-12-0; Mick Doyle (Armley Angling) 24-8-0; Mick Laverack (Armley Angling) 18-10-0.

Wednesday's Open match produced the best weights of the year at Carpvale as the big carp revelled in the sunshine. Dave Wright (Armley Angling) won from peg 12 where he battered the carp and the field, finishing a fish short of the ton. Alternating long pole and floating bread and bomb and corn to the island he hauled out 15 carp to 9lb for 96lb 2oz.

Andy Galant (Armley Angling) was second, from peg 21. He switched between worm and corn on a far side feeder rig for nine carp and three bream scaling 59lb 2oz.

Others: Bernard Guy (Leeds) 58-0-0; Dave Spence (Leeds) 35-4-0; Stuart Wilson (Hirst Tackle) 35-0-0; Mick Webb (Armley Angling) 29-10-0.

Less than 4lb separated the top six out of 42 at the Willows. The first two places went to Ridge Pool competitors, with adjacent pegs on the wides coming tops.

Mark Rockingham (Marsh Tackle) was at peg 4, where he fished corn over pellet at 13 metres for carp to 5lb, tench to 2lb and some quality ide for a level 26lb.

Phil Austin (Armley Angling) alternated pellet and maggot for odd carp to 5lb plus ide and orfe in his 25lb. He edged out Marjorie Harrison (JT Rogers), who had top weight from Goldrush with carp and tench to 1lb on pole and maggot at 10 metres from peg 33 on the jetty for her 24lb.

Others: Andy Gallant (Bob.co)23-15-0; Andy Barker (Walton GTI) 23-9-0; Dave Ward (Dick Clegg Ossett) 22-10-0.

Andy Geldart (Daiwa Goldthorpe) made full use of plum peg 22 to win the 30-entry match on Horseshoe Lake at Raker with 42lb 2oz. Fishing pole and cat meat tight into the far corner a full 18 metres he bagged carp to 6lb. Wayne Nolan (Team Gem) used long pole with corn and meat tight over from peg 1 for carp to 4lb in his net of 35lb 9oz

Others: Dave Geldart (Boston Spa) 25-0-0; Rob Eden (JT Rogers) 21-9-0; Norman Dixon (Anglers Corner) 18-12-0.

Strong winds and driving rain hampered the 61 fihsing the Maple Lake open match at the Oaks. Rob Minikin (Oaks) won easily from the relative shelter of peg 16. Fishing corn over pellets tight to the island at 13 metres he netted 38lb 7oz of carp to 2lb.

Dean Smith (Van den Eynde Goole) was runner-up for the second time in the week. He caught 28lb 12oz from peg 20. Fishing pellet at 13 metres of the ledge of the island he had all carp with some better fish to 4lb.

Others: Gary Pawlett (Oaks) 28-2-0; Mark Coyne (Cleveland Angling Centre) 28-0-0; John Fletcher (MAP Elton) 27-0-0.

Kev Armitage (Team Glum) won the open match on Maple, where there was 45 competitors. From peg 49 he alternated pellet with later meat at 13 metres for carp to 4lb and 31lb 12oz. Deano Smith (Van den Eynde Goole) fishing pole and pellet at 13 metres from peg 15 scored with small carp to 2lb for his 31lb 14oz.

Others: Ian Bowman (Maver Barnsley) 23-12-0; Rob Minikin (Harrogate Angling Supplies) 23-4-0; Rab Ogilvie (Oaks) 22-9-0.

Updated: 12:07 Wednesday, May 01, 2002