Anglers across the York match-fishing scene will be saddened by the tragic death of Ben Coulson from injuries he suffered in a hit-and-run accident.

His talents earned him a call-up to the England Under-21 squad at the age of 15.

After sweeping the junior opposition aside in the early 1990s, including coming sixth in the Junior National Championship on the Avon, he became the youngest ever winner of the Series Six League. Ben topped the fiercely competitive event fished on the Ouse below York, at the age of just 17.

He went on to represent Tang Hall Match Group in several National contests, top scoring for them on the River Trent.

Ben, 27, who lived at Foxwood, was a talented and exuberant angler whose sense of humour and infectious enthusiasm will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Pegs on Goldrush dominated Saturday's 55-peg open match at the Willows. Steve Sharples (Bob.Co) returned to consistent ways by winning with 51lb 8oz. Drawn at peg 53 he offered corn to the snags at 12 metres for carp to 6lb.

Gareth Watson (Wakefield) was at peg 40 on the point where he fished pellet at 9 metres for 41lb of carp to 3lb to beat off the top silver fish weight of Ian Walker (Tadcaster). From peg 34 he fished waggler and caster up in the water for 38lb 8oz of ide and orfe.

Others: Dave Armitage (Bob.Co) 31-0-0; Stan Jeffries (Leeds) 28-10-0; Joe Carass (Bob.Co) 25-4-0

Neil Horne (Leeds Angling Centre) picked up an extra £250 on Sunday for winning the 30-entry JT Rogers match on Horseshoe Lake at Raker from 'golden' peg 22. Fishing the far bank at 18 metres with corn he netted 69-6-0 of carp to 4lb.

John Cosgrove (York Tackle), at peg nine, used corn at 13 and 18 metres for 49-9-0 of small carp, with one bonus 8lb fish.

Others: Mick Horne (Leeds Angling Centre) 36-1-0; Geoff Wilmore (Armley Angling) 31-13-0; Oliver Hewitt (Team Gem) 28-12-0; Wayne Nolan (Leeds) 26-11-0 .

The Bob.Co spring series at Carpvale on Sunday saw a field of 40 tackle Cyprio and the Match Pool.

It was the former that produced the top two with Graham Broadley winning from peg 9. His net of 29lb 4oz included just four carp, and one of those was a small one. His trio of lumps fell to pole and cat meat fished close-in under a near-side tree.

Rob Morris was at peg 8 and used a feeder to the far-side for 8 carp and 25lb 5oz. Top weight off Match Pool went to Brian Husthwaite who had a straight 22lb of bream on pole and worm.

Others: Steve Sharples 17-12-0; Bernard Guy 17lb 4oz

Big was certainly beautiful in the 62 entry open match on Saturday at Woodlands. Winner Kevin Hughes (Pontefract) included a huge mirror carp of 22lb 12oz in his net of 56lb 14oz. Drawn at Kestrel 22 he used pole at 12 metres and alternated corn and maggots to keep the carp coming.

John Chapman (MAP Elton) was top weight on Partridge with 56lb 12oz from peg nine. He used pole with pellet and corn for an all carp net of fish averaging a more modest 4lb.

Despite all the top weights coming from Kestrel and Partridge it was a superbly consistent contest with over 35lb needed to win every section.

Others: Colin Owen (Wilton AC) 55-7-0; Dean Smith (Tekneek Trabucco Elton) 62-8-0; Sean Cameron (Elton Tackle) 46-1-0; Alan Barker (MAP Elton) 45-10-0

In another superb 79-entry contest on Cedar Lake at the Oaks over 30lb was needed to win Sundays open.

Gordon Poole (MAP Elton) led from peg 62 where he offered pellet tight to the island at 13 metres for 54lb 7oz of small carp to 2lb.

Dave Pimlot (MAP Elton) was on corner peg 56 where he fished pellet into the corner and across for a small carp net of 47lb 12oz.

Others: Mark Brittan (Oaks) 46-6-0; Greg Norris (Bob.Co) 39-5-0; Rab Ogilvy (Harrogate Angling Supplies) 37-7-0; Bert Poole (Oaks) 37-5-0.

Updated: 10:59 Wednesday, March 31, 2004