LAST Sunday saw the Ernie Huxley Memorial Trophy, known as the Evesham Rose Bowl, up for grabs at Hampton Ferry and Evesham Town Waters.

It was 27 years to the day since Ernie died and it was nice to see so many anglers - 45 - in action on a cold morning.

Local anglers proved their knowledge of the venue with Shakespeare's Tony Bench and Marc Beach from Broadway tying for first place both with 9-0-0 fishing off Town pegs 42 and 46 respectively.

Following close behind with 8-13-0 were Steve Pallet (WB Clarke VDE AFS) and Gloucester's Terry Girdlestone off Town 46 and Ferry 25.

Claiming fifth spot with 7.8.0 (Ferry 1) was another local competitor Gary Seadon on a day when roach and chub were the main species netted.

The next Open match for the May Vince Vase - a Wychavon qualifier - takes place on Saturday, February 18, draw 9am. Tic-kets from John Davis on 01386 41273.

Evesham WMC

AFTER an overnight frost plenty of fish were still caught at the prolific Manor Farm Leisure fishery at Harvington.

The second round Winter League match was fished on the Boundary Pool where mainly small carp and roach were caught with Vic Woods taking top spot using the long pole and maggot for a winning weight of 13.12.0.

Phil Preston (9.3.0) finished runner-up and Rick Huxley (6.1.0) was third with both men using the same method as the victor. The next match is at Cropthorne, draw at 7.45am.

Evesham Youth AC

FOURTH round action in the Tingle Canal Series took place on the Parks Section of the Worcester Canal last Sunday.

Weights were low after the hard overnight frost on a day when Duncan Field, Will Beasley and Claire Kinnersley topped their sections.

The fifth and final round takes place at the same venue on Saturday, February 4 with the draw at 9am.

Results - Juniors: 1 D Field 1.5.0; =2 Bradley Proctor, Simon Pickering 0.2.8. Intermediates: 1 W Beasley 1.8.0. Seniors: 1 C Kinnersley 0.9.0; 2 Dave Beasley 0.8.8; 3 Cyril Thompson 0.5.0.

Manor Farm Leisure

Results - Windmill Lake (January 19, Affordable Open, Island): 1 Matt Smith (Evesham Youth) 44.6.0 (peg 19); 2 Adrian Davis (Gloucester) 39.12.0 (37); 3 Colin Woodward (Fishermans Friend) 34.0.0 (w4).

January 21 (Middle): =1 Andy Pollard (Mosella Harriers) 38.2.0 (24); =1 Gavin Heritage (Stratford) 38.2.0 (26); 3 Carl Baker (Birmingham) 22.15.0 (22).

January 2 (Island): 1 Chris Cameron (Mosella South) 63.9.0 (27); 2 Tony Skinner (Shakespeare) 34.2.0 (17); 3 Robin Flowers (Ton up Baits) 30.6.0 (35).