LAST Sunday saw the start of our additional end-of-month association matches, writes Alan Hughes.

We managed to coax 19 members out on what is normally a quiet weekend for matches on the Kennet.

The matchday weather was overcast, dry and warm with some sunny spells and with a strong breeze blowing.

The River Kennet had a good colour and was flowing strongly

The match was won by Simon Couling of TRBLAS.

Fishing the first peg above the Blue Barge on Beat Five section, Couling banked mainly perch with a few roach and chublets, fishing stick float tactics, with single and double red maggot on the hook, over hemp and caster feed, to record a weight of 9lbs.

Ian Claridge of Courage was second overall.

Fishing two pegs upstream of Berkley Avenue Road Bridge on Beat Five section, he banked two chub to 3lbs along with bits.

Fishing stick float tactics, with red maggot on the hook, over maggot and hemp and caster feed, to record a weight of 7lbs 11ozs.

Beat 4B was used for the first time this season and did not fare as well as Beat Five, which had seen a match the weekend before.

The section weights were A section (Beat Four) 11lbs 11ozs and B section (Beat Five) 35lbs.

A very big thank you goes to Andy Chapman and his team for checking, clearing and pegging Beat Four and Beat Five on the Saturday before the match.

Thanks must also go to Piers Kernoghan for attending on the day to serve bacon rolls and tea and coffee at the match hut in the morning.

Reading Fishing Club used Child Beale lake for their match and Pete Budaji continued his winning streak by taking top spot with 2lbs 7ozs of silvers.

He changed from last week's winning feeder tactics to a float set up close in.

In second place was James Thumwood with 2lbs 4ozs and completing the trio was Steve Palmer with 1lb.

This weekend will see the July Association match which will be held on the Beat sections of the Kennet.

Anglers are asked to book in as usual with Mike Sheasby and the draw will be at the match hut at Farnham Flint at 8am.