LOCAL match ace Mark Addy has been named in the England squad who will fish the world championship on Hungary's Lake Velence.

The venue should suit the Tri-cast Highfield angler as the water responds well to bloodworm.

Mark is no stranger to the England scene having picked up a gold medal and also running the bank in previous world championships.

The June event over two days is sure to be a real test of England's expertise on the pole and worm as the likes of France and Belgium are sure to make their presence felt.

England boss Dick Clegg describes his team as a great squad of brilliant anglers who have a strong chance of bringing back a medal.

The squad consists of Alan Scotthorne, Steve Gardener, Mark Addy, Dave Vincent, Kim Milsom and Bob Nudd.

TONY Birchall caught on the quiver tip throughout for his match winning 7-13-0 net of skimmers and roach, all taken on red maggot, at Church Ward AC's April aggregate match last Sunday at Fisherman's Retreat course lake.

Ian Crank improved both his reputation and aggregate position with a masterly display of precision pole fishing to take 6-5-0 of quality skimmers and roach for a deserved runners up spot from peg one.

Fish of the match was a splendid rod-caught 2lb-plus mirror carp which helped Alan Gregory, drawn peg 17, push the scales dial to 5-13-0 of mostly skimmers for third place while last of the prize money was collected by Alan Birchall who pole fished with maggot at peg taking roach and skimmers steadily for his creditable 4-9-0.

Surprise catch of the day was the landing of a cray fish by Henry Smith. While trying to unhook the "Reggie" it got a better bite on Henry than he got from it.

RESULTS: Tony Birchall - Peg 7, 7-13-0 quiver-tipped maggot; 2nd Ian Crank - Peg 1, 6-4-0 pole fished maggot; 3rd Alan Gregory - Peg 17, 5-13-0 quiver-tipped maggot; 4th Alan Birchall - Peg 9 4-9-0 pole fished maggot.

SUNDAY sees the culmination of the Bolton Co-op Annual Spring three-match aggregate pairs competition held on the club's Hesketh reservoir at Astley Bridge.

The scene is set for an exciting finish with four pairs in contention for the trophy with the leading pairs as follows: 1st Tony Smethurst (Capt) partner Tony Birchall - 11 points; 2nd Colin Haughton partner Rodney Makin - 15 points; 3rd Mick Riley partner Ralph Davies - 16 points; 4th Alan Humphries partner Stuart Price - 17 points.

Draw time is 8am on the bank, fishing 9am until 2pm.

The first of the Clubs Pools matches starts on Saturday on Heskeths with the draw on the bankside at 12.30pm and fishing 1pm to 4.3pm.

Members note a misprint on the match sheet which should read that the Bridgewater Canal match is 11th May not 18th as shown.

LORD Nelson angler Steve Berry won the Boathouse AC match on the Old River at Irlam.

He caught tench on the pole for 6-1-0 while second was E Lea (Boathouse) with 2-10-0 and third was another Boathouse angler, D Hassell with 2-6-8.

Others: 4th: A Leishman (Boathouse) 2-4-0; 5th: W Johnson (Boathouse 1-8-0; 6th: P Caloe (Lord Nelson AC) 1-5-8.

BRADSHAW Fisheries came alive last Sunday in the Crown Tackle and Bait series.

The milder weather brought the carp on and most anglers caught over 15lbs using pole methods.

Phil Wilson headed a trio of Pilkington's anglers when he caught 28.0.7, second was Mark Whiteside with 24.10.0 and third Terry Pennington who had 24.6.13.

Others: 4. Ray Davies (MAP Elton) 22.11.9; 5. Paul Bottomley (unattached) 18.15.2; 6. Ray Foster (The Horwich Team) 18.12.2.

GORDON Corfield once again came out on top on his favourite Shore Top reservoir in the club's Cain Cup.

Although the catches were not good the match was close with Gordon just pipping second placed Simon Sott by two ounces.

Both caught skimmers on the tip using red maggot.

CONTRIBUTIONS to the angling column are welcome, tel 01204 709749.

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