A TOTAL of 50 anglers were in competition for the Festival and Chronicle Cup last Sunday.

This was the first Reading and District Association match of the season and the match day weather was dry, overcast with some sunny spells, warm and with a strong and gusty breeze blowing. The River Kennet had a good colour and was flowing strongly.

Total match weight was 71lbs 5ozs, at an average weight of 1lbs 10ozs per angler.

The top three teams on the day were Reading Fishing Club A with 28lbs 12ozs, King Heron A.C. with 8lbs 10ozs and Reading Fishing Club B with 7lbs 8ozs.

The match was won by Don Cox of Reading Fishing Club. Fishing three pegs downstream from the top of the venue on Beat 4A Section, he banked a mixture of roach, dace, perch and small chub during the course of the match. Fishing stick float tactics, with single and double bronze maggot on the hook, over bronze maggot and hemp feed, he recorded a weight of 7lbs 1oz.

Mick Donohoe of Courage was second overall. Fishing two pegs below Rosekiln Lane Road Bridge on Beat 4B Section, Donohoe banked a mixture of roach and dace during the course of the match. Fishing stick float tactics, with red maggot on the hook over maggot and hemp feed, to record a weight of 6lbs 10ozs.

George Callaghan of Reading Fishing Club was third overall. Fishing on the first peg downstream of the “white bridge” on Beat 5A section, he banked a mixture of roach and dace during the course of the match. Fishing stick float tactics, with single and double red maggot on the hook, over maggot and hemp feed, to record a weight of 6lbs 8ozs Fourth overall was Peter Godfrey of Reading Fishing Club with 5lbs 11ozs from Beat 3B section.

The Section weights were A Beat 3B section (11lbs 2ozs), B Beat 4A section (15lbs 14ozs), C section Beat 4B (13lbs 12ozs), D Beat 5A section (18lbs 2ozs), E Beat 5B section (12lbs 8ozs).

l The RDAA Tuesday Club fished at Longwater Lake in Green Park and most caught fish in the first hour before the sun came out.

John Ambrose took the top spot with 8lbs 3ozs that consisted mainly of one 5lb bream.

Terry Littlewood took the runner-up place with 7lbs 6ozs which consisted of two tench, and Mark Hornblow filled the third spot with 6lbs 14ozs which comprised one tench and silvers.