THE National Federation of Anglers has teamed up with building materials giant Builder Center to re-launch the 22-year-old Team Knockout competition in a new format and with more than £11,000 in prizes.

The winning team, in the teams-of-five event, will land a winning prize of £4,000.

The Builder Center Team Knockout Event, will be an open entry for teams of five who could end up fishing two qualifying rounds in their local region before reaching a semi-final in April with six teams of five (30 anglers) battling it out in May in an all-expenses paid two-day grand final at the stunning White Acres fishery complex in Cornwall.

The winning team will land £4,000, the runners-up £2,000 and the third placed team £1,000.

The Team Knockout was first introduced to the match scene in 1981 when teams of 12 competed against each other on a 'home' and 'away' basis. Teams were grouped into regions and a draw made - just like the FA Cup.

This time round the teams will be drawn in pairs and then in blocks of three pairs (six teams). The pairs will fish a knockout against each other but they will also be competing in a 30-peg match.

Entry to the competition for NFA and Builder Center customers is £50 each team of five and £70 per team for non-NFA members. Entry forms can be obtained from Builder Center branches, NFA club secretaries, the NFA at Halliday House, Egginton Junction, Derbyshire DE65 6GU or the NFA's new website www.nfadirect.net and from tackle shops from July 28.

At the qualifying rounds, teams will be grouped in geographical locations. The semi final/s will be fished on Saturday, April 3, 2004 and the grand final on Monday, May 17 (practice day) and match days May 18-19.

NFA competitions executive Mick Turner said: "This is a great package spread over nine months.

"We have reverted to a weight competition for this event up to the final, when points will apply, to give the lesser known teams the chance to beat the country's top match groups. We expect a bumper entry and anglers are advised to send off their application form early to beat the August 23 deadline."

Bream have shown on the Derwent in two areas miles apart this week.

Stuart Fennell won the Huntington WMC match amid the scenic panorama of Kirkham Abbey with a splendid net of slabs to nearly six pounds scaling 23lb 3oz. Runner-up Russ Turpin also had a nice net of roach and dace for 5lb 12oz. D Benson was third with a 3-12 net of roach and perch from the sand bed behind the pumping station.

Best of the rest were P Kelley with 2-3 and George Jennings 2-1.

The other unlikely hot spot has been above the weir at Sutton on Derwent where rumour has it that two Elvington-based anglers shared a near 100 pound haul earlier in the week. With much of this fabulous river remaining unfished these days perhaps there are plenty more surprises waiting for those with a pioneering spirit, a stout pair of shoes and a big machete.

Weekend bookings

Saturday

Acaster - Star AC

Claxton Pond - York RI

Sunday

Beningbrough Village - BRS

Beningbrough Park - Tang Hall WMC

Claxton Pond - Poppleton Rovers

Donkey Woods - York Angling Association

Park View Lake - Burton Lane

Redhouse Top - Acomb WMC

Updated: 10:08 Friday, July 25, 2003