RAY Bowden and 14-year-old teammate Matthew Leatherbarrow took first place in Newton Anglers' Association's Lads and Dads Trophy on the lower pound of the Sankey Canal.

They caught small roach and skimmers to 4lbs 1ozs 0drms on pegs 110 and 111 using long pole tactics.

The father and son team of Paul Leatherbarrow Snr and Paul Leatherbarrow Jnr finished second in the six-team event with small roach and skimmers to 2-0-4 on pegs 117 and 118.

Eddie Marcroft and daughter Amy took third place after catching small roach, skimmers and perch for 1-8-0 on pegs 108 and 109.

It proved to be a good morning's coaching for the junior competitors, and all who took part enjoyed the competitiveness and friendly banter - hopefully there will be more members taking part next year.

After that victory, Ray Bowden completed a fine double by winning the Warrington Angling Centre Invitational Wednesday Open on the upper pound.

He caught bream, ide, roach and skimmers on long pole for 13-4-1 from peg 60, while Kenny Ford was second with bream, ide and skimmers for 11-14-1 on peg 59.

Veteran match ace Eddie Cook was fourth with silver fish on long pole for 10-0-0 off peg 51, while Warrington Angling Centre proprietor Dave Williams was fourth with silver fish on long pole for 9-01 off peg 50.

Open matches will be held every Wednesday until further notice.

Newton AA waters are fishing very well at the moment, and the three sections of the Sankey Canal are fishing well for silver fish.

The lower pound is producing some nice small carp and good quality tench and the members-only Penkford Bridge section is in top form for roach fishing, along with tench, carp, perch and koi carp.

Haydock Park Farm is fishing well for silver fish on both the lagoon and Cow Hay Dam, along with carp above 10lbs as well as quality bream and hybrids.

The Yew Tree Reservoir continues to produce some excellent catches of roach and skimmers with tench, bream, rudd, perch and big carp.

The Vulcan is fishing well, although it has its off days. But there are small carp and tench with roach, perch and skimmers that keep your float going down, and the sport there can be prolific.

Last week's rain will be welcome in the Sankey Brook, where there have been a few nice chub caught recently weighing in at approximately 3lbs.

They have not been caught in great quantities, but for the angler who likes a challenge, have a go - I'm told bronze maggot and feeder are the crack there.

Membership is still open but there aren't many permits left, so go to the Houghton Arms on Monday nights to join. New seniors are asked to bring two small photographs for their ID pass.

Eddie Marcroft