DESPITE an unfortunate clash of dates with the Yorkshire Winter League the Animals Hospitals Cup drew an entry of 43 to the Ouse at Fulford.

For the second match in succession quality roach were the encouraging main feature of catches.

Most of the field was composed of York anglers with Kev Ellerby (Acomb Tackle) leading from peg 36 on the bottom sand bed on the palace bend.

Alternating bomb and pole with caster, he netted quality roach and perch to over a pound for his winning 5lb 9oz.

Steve Snaith (Bishopthorpe and Acaster) was above the concrete block in the pumper where he pole fished red maggot over caster for an all roach 5lb 4oz.

Rob Morris (Acomb Tackle) was peg one in the pumper where he alternated a staright lead and the pole with casters for another good roach net of 5lb 3oz.

Others: Alan Liddel (York) 5-2-0, Rich Darling (Tang Hall Match Group) 4-8-0 and Don Murray (Tang Hall Match Group) 4-0-0

The pairs contest went to Darling and Liddel with a total of 9lb 10oz which put them well clear of nearest challengers, Rob Morris and Derek Barker, who had a combined catch of 7lb 4oz

As predicted in last Friday's angling column, pegs opposite the boats below Pollington Lock completely dominated Sunday's 80-peg third round of the Yorkshire Winter League on the Aire and Calder Canal.

Tim Moran (Waterline Wibsey) was on the boss peg 412 and he made it pay again. After beginning on squatt over groundbait at 11 metres he switched to maggot as the quality of the roach improved. His final net of 10lb 15oz was just too good for the rest.

Second place went to (Anglers World York) canal ace Tom Gausden. The Wetherby-based teacher had done his homework on the venue in the past and used his usual hemp and squatt approach for another all roach net of 10lb 4oz from 415.

Team-mate Chris Burton (Anglers World York) was on 407 where he took 10lb 1oz of roach, mainly to bronze maggot.

Others: Bob Booth (Hirst Tackle) 9-6-0, Phil Austin (Selby) 9-2-8 and Gary Skelley (Hirst Tackle) 8-1-8.

Teams: Anglers World York 64, Selby 59, Waterline Wibsey 56, Hirst Tackle 'A' 53, Armley Angling 52, Hirst Tackle 'B' 29, Castleford 16 and Marsh Tackle 18

League: Hirst Tackle 'A' 6, Anglers World York, Waterline Wibsey and Selby all 9.

Andy Middleton (Oaks) went home smiling from the new match lake at the Oaks after winning Sunday's 64-entry on Cedar from 'golden peg' 32.

His win was worth £400 and came courtesy of a small carp net of 38lb 12oz. Fishing maggot over pellet at 12 metres he took carp to 3lb from the far ledge.

John Allerton (Tri-Cast Whizzo) has soon got his eye in on the new lake taking secong place in only the second match. Drawn on peg 26 he offered maggot at 12 metres for 34lb 9oz of carp to 4lb.

Others: Paul Taylor (MAP Elton) 33-4-0, Gary Pawlett (Oaks) 30-4-0, Chris Hall (Oaks) 28-9-0 and Gerry Bryan (Oaks) 24-14-0.

A low, cold River Ure around Ripon proved a difficult nut to crack for the 78-field on Sunday with just a handful of double figure weights.

Steve Beckworth (Armley Angling) had a comfortable win from peg 211 at the bottom of the willow garth. Fishing mid-river with a maggot feeder he netted ten chub, seven of them in the last hour, for 26lb 2oz.

Roy Knox (Knaresborough) was on 153 where he chucked a waggler to the far- ank where his loose fed casters drew out four chub for a level 12lb.

Others: Steve Evans (Brotherton) 11-14-0, Dave Owen (Ripon) 11-0-0, Ray Gilby (Ripon) 10-8-0 and John Milican (Yarm) 8-2-0.

Updated: 11:14 Wednesday, November 19, 2003