YORK and Tadcaster-based outfit Anglers World Holidays pulled off the angling equivalent of a cup-giant killing on Saturday when they became the first-ever qualifiers from the Yorkshire Winter League to reach the National Final.

Fishing the semi-final on the River Weaver in Cheshire the ten-man side scored a total of 54 penalty points, finishing third behind Lymm and South Yorkshire stars Daiwa Goldthorpe.

Section wins from Tim Harrison, Stan Haigh and Nick Sutton and high placings by Chris Jewitt, Darren Starkey and Tony Stevenson paved the way to a remarkable success that saw the outsiders claim the scalp of red-hot favourites and current Winter League title holders Keenets North West from the next peg.

The North West's top side, who included five current or former England internationals, finished in fourth two points adrift.

The final will be fished in front of a large crowd on the River Nene embankment in Peterborough in July. Anglers World are likely to start as favourites for the wooden spoon.

With the Ouse having dropped nearly five feet in the preceding 24 hours Sunday's 56-entry Tadcaster Tower Rosebowl was never likely to be a classic, and so it proved.

Those not lucky enough to draw a skimmer area struggled as roach faded away into the murky waters. Paul Lansley (Anglers World) still basking in his team's glory from the previous day pulled out peg three in the pumper at Fulford and set to work with pole at eight metres. Feeding the slack water with chopped worm he alternated worm and red maggot for five skimmers plus some small perch for a winning 6lb 6oz.

Neil Staniforth (Leeds) was on the end peg at Palace Ings, a noted flyer, but not usually in these conditions. Fishing a groundbait feeder and baiting with red worm he upset the form book netting six skimmers for 5lb 15oz. Paul Royston (Wibsey Angling) had a single slab of 4-6-0 from the Donkeywoods for his 4lb 6oz.

Others: Colin Hardy (Wibsey Angling) 4-5-0, Roger Flude (Save the Ouse) 3-3-0, Rod Chalk (Acomb Tackle) 2-7-0.

Trans-Pennine raider John Bradshaw showed that he is as good on carp as he is with slabs. The former Matchman of the Year put on a classy display of pasty bashing to top Sunday's 55 entry on Maple Lake with 38lb 8oz to beat of the challenge of two York-based commercial experts.

Pegged on lucky 13 Bradshaw used pole and pellet at 13 metres and 11 metres to target the top and bottom of the far ledge. Cupping in pellets had the small carp queuing up and he rattled out fish to a pound.

Dean Smith (Van den Eynde Goole) moved to 24 Kamasan points with second from peg 26. Fishing the same tactics as the winner saw him bag 33lb 12oz of fish to 4lb. Roger Holmes (MAP Elton) took third with 30lb 4oz of small carp alternating pellet and single maggot at ten metres.

Others: Gary Pawlett (Oaks) 28-12-0; Colin Huggins (Middlesborough) 22-14-0.

Anglers practising for the forthcoming Spring League swelled Sunday's entry at Carpvale to 36.

Mick Addinall (Spectrum) led from peg 12 where he fished pole and corn at 18 metres to the island for 11 carp and 53lb 8oz. Steve Bowyer (The Army) was on peg 15 and also fished pole to the island with meat and corn for 7 carp and 34lb 12oz.

Others: John Haw (Acomb Tackle) 28-0-0, Mick Edgeley (Leeds) 20-12-0, Simon Shepherd (York) 15-2-0.

John Cosgrove (Anglers Corner) won at Raker Lakes with 37lb 12oz of carp on pole and maggot at 18 metres from peg 19.

Others: Rick Johnson (Leeds) 35-4-0, Paul Connolly (Hull) 15-12-0, Al Martindale (Tang Hall Match Group) 11-6-0.

The final round of the York Tackle Winter League saw 23 tackle Elvington Lake. Chris Dodsworth (York) led with two carp from peg 16. Fishing waggler and maggot he netted a double figure mirror and a crucian for his 11lb 11oz. Alan Russell (York Tackle) had a 2lb tench plus roach on bloodworm for his 5lb 3oz.

Others: Russ Smith (Hull) 4-9-8, Karl Midhage (York Tackle) 4-6-0.

Updated: 11:57 Wednesday, March 06, 2002