THE Malvern United Angling Association's Wednesday night Sandford Series began last week and it was business as usual for five times champion Paul Bick.

The recent warm spell raised hopes of a large catch and competitors were not disappointed with over 100 pounds brought to the scales by the anglers.

Drawn on island peg no 23 Paul set about showing why he is the man to beat on carp venues with a superb display of pole fishing. Using meat on the hook he caught carp to 4-0-0 steadily throughout the match to smash the previous pool record with a superb 54-8-0 which trebled the weight of second place man Richard Webster who landed 18-0-0 from peg 13. Richard fished tight to the margins using pole tactics to secure his runners up spot.

Third spot went to Dave Harris who drew the newly created peg one and landed 13-14-0 using pole tactics but lost fish cost him dearly.

The pool's good form continued when members fished the first in the Saturday Scramble Series.

With the island pegs left out the weights were spread more evenly and once again the 50lb barriers was broken. Mike Spragg headed the list with 52-14-0 from corner peg 14. Mike started the contest fishing the pole at 11 metres but found it slow going so a switch to the margins proved to be the key as carp to 6-0-0 came steadily throughout the match to his luncheon meat bait.

Jerry Thomas fresh from his victory in the Ashwin Cup drew peg 21 and began with a waggler approach but he also turned his attentions to the margins to take 48-14-0 for second spot using pole tactics, frustrating for Jerry as several lost fish cost him first place. It was an expensive afternoon for match secretary Ian Goddard who suffered a broken pole whilst playing a carp but not put off, he went on to take 32-8-0 from peg nine and third place.

Fourth spot went to Club Treasurer John Shaw who took 30-4-0 from peg three using waggler and straight lead with corn and bread on the hook. Fifth position went to Dave Harris with 16-4-0 of pole caught carp from peg 13, unlucky for some!

The top five anglers brought an amazing 180-0-0 to the scales.