Despite the pre-match omens not being good for Braintree Sea Angling Club’s trip to Orfordness, Barrie Senior ended up with a good haul to take first place.

Reports from anglers who had fished overnight were of heavy crab activity and few fish and this, combined with the constant rain expected all morning, left the Braintree members not expecting too much.

However, the overnight strong winds had died down and sea conditions were good by the time the match started and anglers were soon catching fish.

Codling, whiting and dogfish with an occasional pout were taking the lug and squid baits and except for the period over high tide, fish came in all through the match.

The final tally for Senior was six codling, ten dogfish, 17 whiting and five pout for 1,108 fish points to give him first place.

Nine codling, four dogfish and eight whiting for 833 fish points saw Robin Joy second, with third going to Chris Leonard with five codling, three dogfish, 19 whiting, three pout and a bass for 607 points.