Angling trio racing away with the league lead

Phil Bardell, Phil Wintle and Ian Pretty scraped to a win by one point in Sunday’s third round and, with three more legs to go, have a massive 22 point lead over the current runners-up.

Bardell made fourth on the day with 48-4 – almost 130lb adrift of the winner – as MK notched up 15 penalty points, one less than Swans and Dynamite Black in joint second, which put them on 38 overall with Lowdowns on 53 and Swans 56. Arguably the ‘Chelsea’ of the series, Team Ringer had a bad day and are sixth overall on 68.

Former local EA fisheries officer John McAngus – also press officer to a bishop (I kid you not) in a later career – gets around a bit in retirement and is pictured with a 20lb+ Pacific kingfish, a hard-fighting bundle of muscle caught off New Zealand.

Much nearer home former MKAA bailiff Shaun had a ‘happy hour’ on Bradwell area cut, netting perch to 1-8, roach to almost a pound, and a couple of 10 ounce chub – the latter presumably entering the canal as part of an MKAA stocking a while back.

And on the cut at Stoke Bruerne, Trevor Ray – brother of Willards’ Tim – had five zander to 4-12...and lost one estimated at between 8 and 10lb!

Newports’s Riverside Ouzel match fell to Paul Chapman with 10-5 while Alan Lambert included a couple of decent chub in his 8-14. Steve Glidewell had 6-2.

Still basking in the glory of last week’s mega bream-catch, Dave McLennan could only find one slab in MK Vets’ Ouse midweeker but still won with 7-11 as Colin Chart had 3-10 and Austin Maddock 2-8.

Three perch decided Olney’s Knight Shield which, otherwise, was much ado about nothing much. Nigel Porter had a 1-14 in his 2-15, Barry Glidewell a 1-11 in his 1-12, and Paul Caton a 1-10. Also the last leg of the club points, the match didn’t affect that series which went to Pate Hawley on 605 ahead of Steve Bull 603.

A chocolate-coloured Castlethorpe cut saw Andy Kimpton win Towcester’s do with 2-11...despite ‘missing the net’ with a 2lb+ bream. Chris Howard had 2-6-8 and Les Wallis 2-5-8.

Bradwell Lake: if you have any problems there the NEW man to call is bailiff Rob Woollett on 07711 947537. The two Shauns have retired, so there’s no point in ringing them.

Fixtures: Sunday, MKAA individual winter league on river, 07970 047506; Feb 14, Olney Ouse open 01234 240061.