York-based float ace Mick Potter (Anglers World Holidays) led the way with a fine roach net of 10lb 4oz to win the 82-strong Leeds Christmas Cheer match on the Ouse between Hunters Lodge and Linton-on-Ouse.

Drawn on the bungalows section at peg 222, he made a wise decision to forget targeting bream and went instead for the redfins using a stick float and maggot attack fished with the long rod. By the final whistle he had bagged around 75 fish to net himself a sizeable portion of festive goodies.

Runner-up was Keith Mottram, of Leeds, who got a favourable draw on peg 218.

He opted for the bream or bust strategy and was lucky that the only slab of an otherwise bream-free contest picked up his feeder-fished worm. A few roach were also added to bring his tally up to 7lb 5oz.

Leeds stalwart Stuart Thompson took third place from peg ten at Thorpe Underwood where he netted 48 roach on stick and maggot for his 6lb 4oz.

Others: Paul Clarke (Hirst Tackle) 5-10-0, Steve Raper (Hirst Tackle) and Roy Knox (Leeds) both 5-9-0.

John Fletcher topped a decent contest at Carpvale from peg 17. Offering small pieces of meat on the pole, he bagged an all-carp 35lb net.

Mick Green took second from peg four, where he fished meat tight into the corner for his carp net of 33lb 5oz to see off the challenge of Graham Broadley, who took 29lb 6oz on the feeder from peg eight.

Others: Rob Morris 26-10-0, Johnny Haw 21-8-0 and Roy Worsnop 17-10-0.

Steve Sharples led the way from peg 15 on Ridgepool at the Willows.

Fishing maggot tight to the far-bank, he netted nine carp for 41lb exactly. Best of the rest were Tony Hewson with 21lb 10oz and Dennis Geldard on 18lb.

Other results

Langwith Lakes, Kevin's Lake, 22: Adam Uttley (Jackdaw) 85-9-0 peg 26 carp to 4lb on caster down the track, Dave Wakefield (Tadcaster) 45-12-0, Ben Lindley (Jackdaw) 35-8-0 and John Wharton (Tadcaster) 35-3-0.

Tadcaster, River Wharfe, Smaws Ings, 30: John Lee (Tadcaster) 14-10-0, dace on stick and maggot from peg 55 in the wood, Tom Gausden (Anglers World Holidays) 8-12-0, Steve Wilson (Tadcaster) 7-7-0, Dennis Gelderd (Boston Spa) 7-5-0 and Bob Carter (Leeds) 7-3-0.

Updated: 10:37 Wednesday, December 08, 2004