THE first RDAA senior match on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Froxfield took place last weekend, writes Alan Hughes.

With good results being experienced in the matches on this venue prior to this match, expectations were running high for a good result.

The canal on B section was experiencing low water levels due to a problem with the downstream lock. The canal had some colour due to rain in the week.

Forty anglers were booked in and the matchday weather was mainly dry, overcast and mild, but with some rain showers and with a slight breeze blowing.

As this was the Christmas match the top 10 individuals and each section winner received a Christmas prize.

Total match weight on the day was 169lbs 7ozs, at an average weight of 4lbs 7ozs per angler.

The top three teams were Courage with 49lbs 15ozs, TRBLAS with 35lbs 2ozs and Reading with 20lbs 3ozs..

The match was won by Rob Stephens of Yotac/21 Club. Fishing three pegs above the second Ash Tree on Froxfield B section, he banked skimmer bream to 1lb 8ozs along with perch and roach fishing pole tactics to record a weight of 14lbs 3ozs.

Ian Claridge of Courage was second. Fishing the first peg below Lock 69 in the Short Pound on Froxfield A section, Claridge banked similar species to the winner fishing a combination of pole and groundbait feeder tactics to record a weight of 13lbs 14ozs.

Aaron Phillips of Courage was third. Fishing the fourth peg down from the road bridge on Froxfield B section, he banked mainly perch fishing pole tactics to record a weight of 11lbs 9ozs.

Section weights: A section – 47lbs 4ozs, B section – 34lbs 13ozs, C section – 34lbs 14ozs, D section – 52lbs 8ozs.

With two matches left the Club Championship leaders are Courage with 141lbs 15ozs and in second place are TRBLAS with 134lbs 2ozs.

The individual weight category is led by Claridge with 32lbs 115ozs, followed by John Jackson. The roles are reversed in the points table.

Excelsior were on their stretch of a very clear Thames at Hardwicke and Pete Balcombe took the honours with 3lbs 4ozs.

In second place was Alan Cowell with 2lbs 8ozs which included a roach of 2lbs. Third spot went to Rose Balcombe with 2lbs.