A decision to finish the match fishing caster shallow for roach and rudd, proved to be the correct tactic for Pete Thompson on Braintree and Bocking Angling Society’s trip to Clare to fish the Long Pond.

While only one decent carp was caught, small carp, tench and silvers provided bites throughout and even though Thompson’s other swim was dying, his tactic meant he finished in top spot with 42-0-0.

Jim Loosley continued on the long pole throughout the match and caught till the end, but ended just a couple of fish short and weighed 40-0-0 to take second place.

The club’s second evening match on Hill and Black at the Fennes saw a peg to peg battle with the Orrins.

Father Mark landed nine carp to win with 67-0-0 and although he only had seven carp son Chris weighed 60-4-0 in second, with the biggest fish weighing 17 pounds.

Round three at Notley saw Loosley land 14-15-0 of small carp, F1s and silvers to win the round from Chris Orrin, who landed a similar net weighing 13-7-0.

The Friday matches continue to be popular and weights are improving.

Jim Hannington ran out the winner with a 9-3-0 mixed bag. Section winners were Loosley with 5-4-8 and Gary Tisshaw 6-14-0.

The latest provided better weights and Keith Nash recorded the best recent weight of 19-10-8 to win.

In second place, with 13-4-0, was John Daniels.