Frank Lythgoe’s Warrington Anglers’ Association column...

THE Mersey Match Series on Sunday was fished on the Victoria Park section of the river.

Jim Gannon needed only 1lb 11ozs 0drs made up of nine small roach, boosted by a bonus half-pounder, to clock up his first win of the year.

At the draw he wanted either peg 16 or 34 and happily settled for his first choice where he set up a small groundbait feeder alternating between red maggot or double pinkie.

His choices of peg were right on the button as second placed Alan Morris drew peg 34 where he caught half-a-dozen small roach for 1-0-0.

Neither of these had entered the main pool so third placed Ian Titchard with 0-15-0 took the main money with more being added to the section winner’s purse. Sixteen members fished.

Our Monday Disabled & Over 60s match took place on the Bridgewater Canal, pegged between Walton Bridge and Walton Road Bridge.

Alan Clarke notched up his second win in the past three weeks with a net of roach taken on the pole, the majority on punched-bread and a few on pinkie.

Alan Faulkner, a relative newcomer to this match series, took the runner-up spot again this week with 2-4-0 of roach on bread.

For most of the match Alan sat without a single bite but with only 55 minutes to go he caught his first roach and it was game-on. Seventeen anglers fished.

Many thanks to the volunteers who attended working parties at Rixton Claypits, Moore Quarry and Big Sandiway. Lots of essential work carried out including pegs, dangerous tree removal, and fencing.

This Sunday there will be a working party at Rixton Clay Pits from 9am. All members are welcome.

There will be a big job coming up shortly as we have ordered the materials to install Otter Stop Fencing around Grey Mist. Masses of work needs to be done, including ground clearance and some tree removal.

The Mist has also been suffering from high water levels for some time due to inadequate drainage which is being addressed by BIFFA.

If you are interested in ensuring a secure future for this popular fishery please get in touch and email me your details.

I really appreciate any catch reports from members, especially at this time of the year when they are understandably few and far between with there being not many anglers out fishing. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call me on 01928 716238.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly.

Results: Mersey Match Series: 1 Jim Gannon 1-11-0; 2 Alan Morris 1-0-0; 3 Ian Titchard 0-15-0; 4 Bud Lee 0-11-0. Disabled & Over 60s (Bridgewater Canal): 1 Alan Clarke 3-10-0; 2 Alan Faulkner 2-4-0; 3 Jimmy Byrne 2-0-0; 4 Jeff Stoll 1-15-0.

Fixtures (exact money only, Covid-19 match rules apply): Sunday: Mersey Series (members only): Draw 8.45am, Mersey Walk, entry £5 and £5 optional pool. Monday: Disabled & Over 60s, Bridgewater Canal, draw 9.45am Houghs Bridge, £5 all-in.