THE first of the annual two-fixture match between Reading Fishing Club and Tilehurst Royal British Legion Angling Section took place last weekend, writes Alan Hughes.

Forty anglers were booked in on the Thames with 20 on the Beale Park stretch and the other 20 on the Hardwicke stretch. The Beale Park stretch was responsible for the top 10 weights overall.

TRBLAS came out on top with 255 points against R.F.C’s 210 and also took the weights with 134lbs 14ozs against R.F.C with 111lbs 6ozs.

The match was won with 15lbs 8ozs of roach, skimmers and perch and taking the top spot was Reading’s Malcolm Vigor, who appears to be unbeatable on his favourite Thames.

The runner-up was Dave Cowley (TRBLAS) with similar species that took the scales down to 14lbs 13ozs. Completing the top three was Simon Couling (RFC) with 14lbs 3ozs of mainly roach.

The return match will be held on the same venues and this will take place on Sunday, September 10, on the Beale Park stretch.

The RDAA Tuesday Club also fished on the Thames at Goring. Roach, perch and skimmers were also the order of the day and George Callaghan drew the noted peg on the footbridge and proceeded to plunder 17lbs 15ozs on a whip to take the top spot.

Terry Littlewood took the second spot with 12lbs exactly and in third place was Alan Hughes with 5lbs 15ozs.