THERE was an excellent turnout for the first Malvern United Angling Association's winter league contest of the season which was held on the club's pool at Mathon.

Conditions for fishing were good despite persistent rain but the venue's resident carp were not in a feeding mood and the majority of competitors struggled for bites.

Drawn nearest to the island on peg three was Richard Webster. Richard fished a small feeder tight to the island and after losing one carp managed to land another and a couple of small roach to take the first round with 3-9-0.

Chris Loveridge used waggler tactics to take one carp of 3-7-0 from peg eight which was good enough for second place.

Match secretary Ian Goddard drew peg 15 and set his stall out to catch small fish, so it was quite a surprise when a carp of 3-3-0 snapped up his maggot hookbait and had to be carefully played on light line. Ian managed it and took third spot.

The next match in the winter league series is this Sunday (November 16) and is on the Avon at Birlingham. Draw 9am, fish 9.30-1.30pm.