League pair head for semi

Maver Tipton and Rod & Gun are virtually certain to take the top two places in the Shropshire Winter League to qualify for the semi finals of the Angling Times Team Championships.

Tipton lead with eight match points, five clear of Rod & Gun on 13.

They in turn are five clear of Mosella Strike on 18, which means that, for Rod & Gun to fail to qualify, they would have to finish last at the final round, and Strike would have to win the match. Any other result will see Rod & Gun go through.

Tipton were in a class of their own at the fifth round of the Shropshire Winter League, and showed that their knowledge of the Hampton Springs fishery, near Whitchurch, is far superior to that of the rest of teams in the league.

Tipton won the round with the best score of the series so far, 20 penalty points.

Phoenix Tackle had their best finish so far, taking second on the day, but were a long way behind the winners on 36 points.

Mosella Strike were third last time at Hampton, and filled third again this time, with a score of 38.

There were some worried looks on the faces of the Rod & Gun team before the results were announced, and while a shared fourth place on the day was disappointing, it had little effect on the league standings.

They finished the day on 44 points, as did Phoenix MG. Hodnet avoided last place with a score of 48, leaving Dorset last with 49.

Tipton and Phoenix Tackle filled the top two individual placings as well as the team positions, with Simon Richardson getting the winners laurels.

He was on peg 18 on the Rock Pool and had a mainly carp catch, interspersed with golden tench, roach and perch, for 82-12-0.

Stu Ballard was second for Phoenix from peg 30 on the Long Island Pool, where he netted 65-6-0, which split two more Tipton from the winner. Martin Harrell weighed 56-9-0 at peg three on the Rock, and Richard Noakes was close behind with 55-12-0 from peg five on the Poplars.

*Remaining league standings are, 4th Phoenix MG, 20 points, 5th Phoenix Tackle 21, 6th Dorset 25 and 7th Hodnet 34.

*The final round is at Larford Lakes on 26th November, with a practice open at the prolific venue this Sunday.

Draw for the practice match is 9.00am. Book with Scott Geens 07971 405226. This match is open to anyone and not restricted to league participants.