WARRINGTON women made immense contributions at the weekend as Team England rewrote the history books at the 10th Women's World Angling Championships.

They became the first team to retain the title and Wendy Lythgoe and Helen Dagnall were at the forefront of the success.

The Warrington duo both outclassed the opposition from 14 other nations to win their sections on the first day.

And they continued their fine form into the second day by finishing higher than the anglers competing for their nearest rivals France.

Warrington Anglers' Association member Wendy Locker also excelled at Furzton Lake near Milton Keynes. The Chester ace secured first and second-placed finishes in her two sections to take a silver medal in the individual stakes.

Wendy Lythgoe narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fourth.

Her father Frank Lythgoe, who is the secretary of Warrington Anglers' Association and team manager for England, said: "To be back-to-back team gold medallists is a fantastic achievement. It doesn't get much better than that.

"Everyone involved with the Whiteacres NFA England squad is delighted and the girls thoroughly deserve their success.

"All six women in the squad are accomplished anglers. They are very skilful with plenty of international experience under their belts and the tactics they employed were spot on.

"They were targeting roach, bream and skimmers and they handled the pressure of competing at the highest level extremely well.

"The same can be said about last year's world championships in Slovenia and we will be going for gold again in Portugal in 2004."

England ended up with 24 points at the weekend while France came second with 35 points.

Dave Lawrenson