The 44-field in the latest York Tackle-sponsored Spring League saw Jason Souter shoot to the top of the league with another brilliant display of silver fish angling.

Carp are limited to a nominal 2lb score in the series which refreshingly sees the focus on the prolific Coarse Lake's roach, rudd and skimmer and population.

After taking two firsts and a second place in the opening four rounds there can be few better than York Tackle-backed Souter.

After a fruitless two hours for skimmers at peg four on the old pond he switched to fishing maggot up in the water which saw him bag a 3lb chub, plus lots of rudd, roach and the odd crucian for his match-winning 17lb 11oz.

At peg one on the same pond, Dave Benson (York Tackle) followed up last week's impressive roach net with another of 15lb 6oz taken on short pole and maggot at four metres.

Others: Mark Smith (York Tackle) 11-10-0; Paul Thompson (Anglers World) 10-1-0; Dougie Featherstone (Malton) 9-9-0; Phil Roberts (Malton) 8-15-0.

The Bob-Co Tackle match at Carpvale saw a field of 37 contest a surprisingly good match at the Moor Monkton complex.

James Morland (Harrogate Angling Centre) led from peg 31 on the match lake, where he offered corn on the long pole at 16 metres. His winning net of 55lb 9oz included an unlucky 13 carp, plus odd bream and tench. Roy Worsnop (Bob-Co) had best weight from Cyprio where 13 also proved lucky. His 44lb net taken on long pole and meat was made up of eight carp and two tench.

Others: Tony Hewson (Leeds Angling Centre) 40-4-0; Dave Maddison (York) 39-2-0; Rob Morris (Acomb Tackle) 29-12-0; Dave Armitage (Hirst Tackle) 26-10-0.

Despite a return to winter conditions earlier in the week weights held up at the Willows although many of the 49-entry had to resort to using smaller baits and lighter tackle.

Winner Tommy Rodgers (Robin Hood) was no exception and he reverted to a softly-softly approach at peg 47 on Goldrush.

Cupping in tiny helpings of maggot and pellet, he offered single maggot on size 20 hook to 0.11 hook-length. Targeting a small bay with an overhanging willow at 12 metres, he found carp to 4lb in residence and worked steadily away to amass a winning haul of 44lb.

Graham Flesher (Hirst Tackle) took second from peg 56 on the same lake with an all-carp net of 41lb 10oz taken on more conventional tactics for this time of year. He tempted fish to 5lb to take his cat meat offerings.

Others: Shaun Rogers (Robin Hood) 36-14-0; Graham Boardley (Bob-Co) 31-6-0; Tony Pearson (The Willows) 30-12-0; John Matthers (The Willows) 30-0-0.

In an otherwise close frame Ray Marklew finished over 40lbs clear in the York Tackle match at Langwith Lakes with a superb 71-12-0 as carp showed a distinct liking for corn at peg 29. Working at ten metres, he took fish to four pounds to leave John Cyrowski second with 31-2-0.

Others: Mick Wood (Kerr's Angling) 30-14-0; Kelvin Weatherall (Selby) 30-2-0; Richard Darling, (Tang Hall Match Group) 29-4-0; Frank Johnson (Leeds) 28-10-0.

Updated: 10:37 Wednesday, April 20, 2005