YORKSHIRE'S top river match was on the Ure at Ripon where the top five in the 77 entry all had 30lb-plus returns.

There were 27 double-figure nets as chub and dace went on a feeding frenzy.

Steve Hodson (RSPS) led from the gravel bend below Hutton Beck. After taking ten chub on waggler and caster early on, the York-based river expert noticed fish rising for floating casters.

Despite the cold water he impaled a large chunk of floating bread which was engulfed as it floated down his streamy peg. Another ten chub followed suit in a frantic last hour to see him finish well clear on a level 54lb.

Younger anglers showed their more experienced counterparts a thing or two at the Raker Lakes match at the weekend.

Gareth Sellars (Leeds Juniors) had 31lb 2oz of carp to 2lb on pole and maggot at 13 metres from current hot peg 22.

Others: Stuart Burdekin (Daiwa Trentmen) 21-1-0, Paul Kozyra (Anglers Corner) 16-3-0 and John Cosgrove (Anglers Corner) 15-8-0.

At Carpvale, Paul Howard (Headingley Angling) led the 31-strong field with 48lb 1oz, which comprised 12 carp on feeder and meat from peg six.

Graham Broadley (Armley Angling) drew the favoured peg 17 which has been in the frame for the past four weeks and kept the ball rolling with 32lb 8oz of carp taken on pole and meat at ten metres.

Others: Paul Fawcett (Armley Angling) 26-12-0, Mick Addinall (FAPS Bradford) 25-6-0 and Andy Gallant (Armley Angling) 23-12-0

Kevin Moore (Leeds) was on the verge of an early finish after three biteless hours opposite Bell Banks gravels.

But chub were stirred into action just in time as the first of 30 fish that graced his 48lb net came to waggler and caster two hours from the whistle.

Mal Britton (Ripon) was two below the winner and fished mid-river with a cage feeder stuffed with crumb and scaled wasp nest. He alternated baits to keep the chub coming, tempting seven on bread flake and five on grub to finish with 38-5-0.

Others: Richard Sowerby (Knaresborough) 35-1-0, John Milligan (Stockton) 34-11-0, Steve Smith (Airborough) 23-10-0.

Those of the 57 entrants in Sunday's Tadcaster open not drawn in the bottom field struggled on a clear Wharfe at Smaws Ings as the fish shoaled up above the weir.

The scales could not split Tom Gausden (Anglers World) and Stuart Thompson (Armley Angling), who both had 10lb 1oz nets that could not have been more different.

Gausden fished a waggler and maggot up in the water at 63 above the armchair for tiny roach and dace, while Thompson went down the quality route taking two chub and a perch on caster feeder from 85 above the weir.

Others: Vic Rookes (Glen) 8-12-8; Dennis Geldard (Boston Spa) 7-3-8, Mick Wheelhouse (Tadcaster) 7-1-0, Dave Hare (Harrogate) 6-7-0.

Harrogate-based Gary Pawlett (Oaks) secured the points he needed for a Kamasan final spot at the Oaks on Sunday.

Drawn on form peg 62a he pole fished maggot at 14 metres into the corner for an all carp bag of 59lb 13oz with fish to 3lb.

John Allerton (Tricast Whizzo) was also back in the points with his second from peg 21. Pole and maggot at 12 metres brought some quality carp with fish to 5lb in his 47lb 8oz.

Others: Daz Shaw (Sensas Garbolino) 42-13-0, Paul Jones (MAP Elton) 40-6-0, Bert Poole (MAP Elton) 35-0-0, Pete Cox (Edgely Sports) 34-4-0

A total of 74 anglers were in action on all the main match lakes at the North Yorkshire Woodlands complex, with the top five all bagging 50lb plus.

Mark Harris (Trevs of Wilmslow) led the rout from Kestel 23. Feeding a mix of chopped worm, caster and corn at 14 metres, he alternated maggot corn and worm as hookbaits taking a mixed net of carp to 5lb, chub, barbel and tench for 56lb 6oz.

Alan Mendenes (BAS 2000) enjoyed his first trip to the venue netting 16 carp to 6lb on pole and corn from Curlew 16 for his 55lb 7oz.

Others: Ray Singh (MAP Elton) 54-6-0, Ken Gollightly (MAP Elton) 53-10-0, Kev Hill (Sensas Garbolino) 52-14-0, Gordon Poole (MAP Elton) 48-13-0.

Sunday's pairs' contest drew an entry of 84 and again all six lakes were in use.

Andy Hampson (Hirst Tackle), fishing pole and corn at 13 metres from Wagtail peg nine, bagged carp to 6lb for 50lb 12oz.

Paul McBrinn (Normark) was well behind but led the chasing pack home with 39lb 12oz.

Drawn Skylark 24, the Leeds milkman took half his fish on pole and corn at 12 metres and the rest on a maggot feeder fished mid lake.

Others: Martin Leck (Sensas Bawtry) 31-15-0, John Chapman (Keenets NW) 28-6-0, Paul Clark (Hirst Tackle) 26-14-0, Kev Hill (Sensas Garbolino) and John Wilde (Barnsley Juniors) both 25-12-0.

Pairs: Howard Cutts and Jamie Hall (Daiwa Goldthorpe) 10, Steve Newbery and Lyndon Roberts (MAP Elton) 12, Mark Stanley and Mick Adams (Elton Tackle) 14.

Updated: 12:23 Wednesday, November 21, 2001