THE first weekend of the close season provided a memorable double for Leeds veteran Bernard Guy who topped the opening legs of both the local Spring Leagues.

Saturday saw a field of 45 facing a biting easterly wind on Goldrush and Ridgepool at the Willows.

The Ultimate Henglesport series provided Guy with an easy win from peg 34 on Goldrush. Neglecting the usual pole tactics employed by most he chose to cast a hair-rigged corn offering 30 metres to an island.

Fifteen carp to 5lb showed a liking for his approach and his winning haul of 51lb 8oz was nearly double that of the runner-up, Mick Deighton.

Deighton was on peg 30 on Ridgepool where he offered maggot close in to an overhanging willow. His net of nine carp and ten chub scaled 27lb 8oz.

The following day action moved a few miles up the road to Carpvale where Cyprio and Match pools played host to the first encounter in the Bob-Co Spring League. Guy's cause was helped by a good draw and he went on to capitalise fully for his pitch on peg four on Cyprio.

Tackling the snags that form the corner of the pond he once again found corn to the fishes' liking. Seventeen carp to 7lb were his reward and his bag of 77lb 8oz saw him finish well clear of the chasing pack.

Mick Doyle was the best of the rest from peg 13 on the same lake.

He utilised the floating pole technique to ship his bait out 18 metres to the island. Corn was the successful bait once again as 11 carp fell to his yellow offerings for 52lb 4oz.

Top York-based angler was Rob Morris (Acomb Tackle) who had 40lb 6oz for fourth place.

At Langwith Lakes, a thrilling peg-to-peg battle on Kevin's Lake saw just 10oz separate the top two in Sunday's 55-peg open.

Dave Bouja got the nod over Dave Armitage from peg two. Offering pellet across to the island he matched his neighbour fish for fish throughout a gruelling encounter. At the whistle his bag of 53lb 12oz was just enough for the top honours.

The final round of the Poppleton Lakes Winter League saw Dave Wright take both the match and the league title in emphatic style.

Renowned for his long pole tactics Wright floated his assortment of carbon out to 24 metres on Horseshoe peg 29. Fishing just a few inches deep with maggot and corn he had a level 70lb of carp to 2lb.

His victory put him over 20 points clear at the head of the table and saw him pick up nearly £700 in winnings.

Updated: 10:33 Wednesday, March 22, 2006