Despite the Ouse carrying some extra water at the weekend the expected bream failed to feed and many of the 90-strong field contesting the third round of the Acomb Tackle York and District Winter League were left with a struggle.

A hard frost did little to enhance sport and while the odd skimmer did fancy a snack in the chilly water, it was left to nets of roach to fill the top spots.

Ricky Gaunt (Waterline Wibsey) led the way from one of the shallower pegs in the cat holes at Fulford. Pole-fishing caster in just a metre of water, he found some quality roach for a winning haul of 4lb 11oz.

Not far behind was John Miller (Cobblers), who was pegged almost opposite the winner above the bridge in the donkey woods. He too chose to pole-fish when many around him were targeting bream on the feeder, and was rewarded with a mixed roach and perch net of 4lb 4oz that fell to red maggot.

There was a tie for third place on 4lb 2oz between Wayne Roberts of Selby Shipyard and Tang Hall Match Group's Rich Darling. Both anglers were pegged on the Fulford bank where they found roach in obliging mood at the Palace Ings stump and the bay hole.

Others: Mick Doyle (Waterline Wibsey) 3-12-0; Tony Stephenson (Anglers World Holidays) 3-10-0.

Despite having the winner and another angler in the top six, Waterline Wibsey could only manage second place in the team event as an excellent display of consistency by the Anglers World Holidays' squad saw them amass a total of 16lb 1oz.

Anglers World Holidays now head the League at the half-way stage with 41 points, but snapping closely are Barlby Village Stores just a point shy. Waiting in the wings should they both slip up, are Waterline Wibsey and South Bank, who have 37 and 35 respectively.

Despite a hard frost the previous night, a great turn-out of 49 at Langwith Lakes enjoyed some great sport on both Kevin's and Bethany's Lakes.

Keith Fenwick led the way from peg two on Kevin's where, despite the plummeting water temperatures, he chose to fish in just a metre of water tight to the ledge. Offering pellets over sparing amounts of loose-feed, he tempted carp to 2lb throughout a busy day to finish on a level 72lb.

John Coates was running away with things in the opening half of the match with over 40lbs in the sack.

The bites came to an abrupt end before a few late fish pushed him on to 53lb 12oz and second place from peg eight on the same lake as the winner.

Others: Trevor Hebden 53-8-0; Pete Milner 39-6-0; Dave Armitage 26-5-0; Stewart Knox 24-0-0.

Updated: 10:00 Wednesday, January 25, 2006