THE first Braintree Club match of the new season was for the Society Cup on Hobbs Croft and as the carp took a back seat to the bream, Kevin Howell eased to victory.

The sunshine has brought the carp up to the surface on most waters and they seem to have little interest in feeding.

Surface fishing has netted a few carp but most matches ban surface fishing, so the weights are made up of silvers with the odd carp.

Howell made the perfect decision when he switched to meat over his pellet line, which resulted in a short run of bream in the one to two pound class which proved to be enough to ease him in front of the others and he went on to win with a total of 16-8-0.

Sections (excluding winner): 1 J Loosley 10-0-0, 2 B Cheesman 12-6-0.

The Friday Sweeps at Notley for the Braintree Club members are proving as popular as ever and Ken Rolfe recorded his first win last Friday on his third match on the venue.

He landed three carp and three F1s with a few silvers for a winning total of 18-6-0.

Sections (excluding winner): 1 B Huxter10-2-0, 2. J Loosley 14-7-0.

Braintree and Bocking Angling Society cards are now available from the usual sources and the new gate number is in use at Notley.

Sunday's match is the John Doyle Rod and Reel match on Hill and Black at the Fennes.

A final reminder to members of the club presentation on Wednesday night (May 16) at the Liberal Club in Braintree.