The Bill Noakes Cup on the Ouse below York failed to materialise into the predicted bream-bagging session as the mid-week colour fell quickly out of the waters around Fulford.

The absence of any big fish made for an excellent contest with roach showing throughout the length, boding well for the forthcoming Winter League events.

York stalwart Mick Wood (South Bank) led from the top of the wall below the stump-hole at Fulford.

Taking advantage of his shallow peg, he eased through a caster in ten feet of water at ten metres for a net of 10lb 14oz of quality roach to 12oz. Despite heavy boat traffic and the attentions of a marauding pike, he was able to keep the red-fins interested throughout the contest.

Dean Smith (Garbolino Elton) proved again that he is not just a commercial carp-bagger by taking second spot from below the sand-bed on the Donkey Woods. Again pole and caster over hemp was the winning combination as he found some quality roach later in the match for a net of 7lb 12oz.

Tim Harrison (Anglers World Holidays) took third place from the bottom of the pumper section at Fulford with 7lb 3oz.

A good showing by his partner, and fellow Copmanthorpe resident Mick Potter, saw the duo take the pairs' event with a total of 13lb 7oz to beat off the attentions of John Cyrowski and Phil Austin. The Barlby Village Stores pairing weighed in with 12lb 14oz.

Rich Darling completed the main frame from the bottom of the Palace Ings, where he pole-fished his way to a level 7lb of small roach, perch and chublets.

Heavy overnight rains hit the weights at the Oaks, Sessay but it made for a tense and exciting contest on Cedar Lake, where many of the 59-peg entry were still in with a chance of the spoils until the last minutes.

Rob Minikin (Harrogate Angling Services) took the win from peg 69 with 56lb 9oz of carp to 3lb.

Offering pellet over loose fed pellets at 13 metres, he took a steady stream of small carp throughout the contest to pick up the fattest envelope.

Unluckiest angler was John Kenning (Daiwa Goldthorpe) who pulled out the jackpot peg. Opting to fish maggot at ten metres, he was into small fish from the off and was always in contention.

Despite not netting any bonus fish, a 4lb barbel being his heftiest offering, his final net of 53lb 4oz put him tantalisingly close to the £500 bonus. The loss of two meaty carp made it all the more bitter to swallow.