Hotrods take title but not in the waythey'd have liked

And one of the matches hit was the last round of the East Midland Winter League series scheduled for Sunday on the fenland drains.

Some anglers had travelled quite some distance but at the HQ before the draw had taken place a captains meeting was called and with snow still falling a vote was taken and it was decided to cancel the match.

And that meant, under league rules, the result after five rounds would stand as the final finishing order. There were, needless to say, a couple of very disappointed teams that left HQ without having had the chance to fight for a place in the final.

Considering the weather I think we could understand calling the match off, but not to have a reserve venue or date does seem a little strange. I have a feeling the rules may well change for next season.

It all meant that Browning Hotrods were crowned champions - although not in the manner they’d hoped.

A team spokesperson said: “It’s a shame really as I don’t think anyone in the team feels like it was a real win, fishing one round less.

“Hopefully we can look at rules and avoid the frustration of a shortened league next year.”

Hotrods were, however, the most consistent team with Colin Oakman putting in a fine run of match results to claim the Stacey Cup with just 6 points (four section wins and a second).

So its Stanjay Gold along with Browning Hotrods that go through to the final, which just happens to be on fenland drains and Decoy Lakes.

Final positions after five rounds: 1 Browning Hotrods 10pts; 2 Stanjay Gold 13pts; 3 Matrix Image 13pts; 4 Sensas Mark One White 15pts; 5 Sensas Mark One Black 25pts; 6 Stanjay Silver 29pts.

WHITTLESEY

There are not many fenland drains better than Beggars Bridge at the moment and it continued to produce a good little match for those fishing the Whittlesey Saturday club match.

Even in the bright but freezing cold conditions anglers caught well with matchwinner Richard Cook putting a fine net of roach, rudd and perch to the scales weighing in 13lb 6oz, most taken on the whip with maggot over worm.

Second was Mark Barron catching small fish on the whip with pinkie from a peg next to a bridge with a weight of 11lb 14oz. Third was Arthur Smallman from the peg nearest the road bridge with 10lb 2oz of pole and waggler caught fish taken on maggot.

WELLAND

The River Welland through Spalding continues to fish really well.

In the latest match it was Rob Hewison that found the roach more than willing to feed. He fished the whip for most of the day putting a fine 40lb 2oz net to the scales.

Dan Freeborne took the runner-up spot with 37lb 12oz, then came John Price with 33lb 10oz and Ray Malle on 32lb 8oz.

PETERBOROUGH DAA

There were some hardy souls fishing Sunday’s Peterborough & DAA members match at Stibbington.

Matchwinner on peg six with a weight of 4lb 7oz was Paul Dotchin. He caught small fish throughout the day. Runner-up was Steven Ashley on peg four with a weight of 3lb 15oz, then came Andy Jackson with a weight of 3lb 4oz to take third place.