MARK Poppleton, from Trowbridge, is going well in the Landsend Winter League and is holding second place after taking runner up spot in last week’s match, writes COLIN SCULL.

Craig Edmunds of Avon Angling won on the day with 89 lb 5 oz of carp, Poppleton pushing him all the way with 88 lb 7 oz.

Paul Elmes, from Bristol, was third with 69 lb of carp, while the silvers prize went to Mark Brennan, of Preston Innovation Thatchers with 17 lb.

Other placings: 4. Martin Lenaghon Avon Angling 60 lb 10 oz; 5. Nick Duckett Lands End 59 lb 15 oz; 6. Adrian Clarke Bristol Flooring 39 lb 0 oz.

League table: 1. Craig Edmunds Avon Angling 24; 2. Mark Poppleton South West MG 23 ( 284 lb 0 oz); 3. Ken Rayner Bristol 23 (205 lb 0 oz) l

COMPETITORS found the going tough in poor conditions in the Ivy House Open match as home matchman Sam Nobbs clinched victory after landing a bonus carp of 15 lb 3 oz to add to carp and silvers weighing 32 lb 4 oz.

John Williams, of Elgin AC, was next with carp and silvers catch weighing 24 lb 11 oz followed by Mark Lane, of Ivy House, with 25 lb 8 oz of carp and silvers.

SUNDAY’S Chippenham match was switched to Pockeridge Lake where Andy Pratten, of Melksham, won with 22 lb 13 oz of carp.

Nigel Smith, from Calne, pushed him all the way with 21 lb 11 oz of carp, followed by Martin Dolman, from Calne, with 17 lb of carp.

The overall champion was Steve Palmer with 117 points.

Other placings: 4. Kevin Williams Chippenham 13 lb 3 oz; 5. Steve Palmer Chippenham 7 lb 9 oz; 6. Mick Ashe Chippenham 4 lb 7 oz.

THE Wilts Angling Open match was fished on the All Cannings stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal on Sunday as Gary Etheridge, of Devizes, won with 6 lb 6 oz of roach and hybrids.

Mike Marsden, from Trowbridge, was runner up with 5 lb 9 oz of roach and Mark Lloyd, from Trowbridge, was third with 5 lb 3 oz of roach and hybrids.

Other placings: 4. Liam Braddell Chippenham 5 lb 2 oz; 5. Gary Williamson Devizes 4 lb 12 oz 8 dm; 6. Dave baker Trowbridge 4 lb 9 oz.

Future events

Saturday Feb 22: Keynsham match K & A Canal Semington; Lavington match at Cheverell complex; Avon Open match at Melksham.

MORE SPORTS NEWS & PICTURES IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE & HERALD