MEMBERS of the Malvern United Angling Association got into the festive spirit last Sunday when they fished the Club's annual Fur & Feather contest on the pool at Mathon.

Unfortunately nobody had told the fish that it was the season of goodwill to all men and fishermen as they refused to bite. After the recent mild spell hopes were high of a few fish be caught but by the end of the contest competitors were let scratching around for small roach and perch.

Dave Harris drew peg 6 and displayed his small fish snatching skills by winning the contest with a meagre 0-9-0 of small roach taken on pole and maggot. Pegged next door was Paul Cooper who took a similar net for 0-7-0 and second place.

Weights really went downhill from then on with John Cooper taking third place by catching one roach for 0-1-8 and Chairman Phil Harding making a rare appearance in the frame by snaring one tiny roach at the death which just moved the scales to register 0-1-0 for fourth place.

The remaining competitors failed to catch so it was a welcome relief to return to the West Malvern Social Club for prizegiving and a sumptuous buffet, very kindly provided once again by Sheila Thomas, thanks must go to her and to the West Malvern Social Club for helping to make the event a great success again.