A total of thirty-three local anglers from the Redditch and Bromsgrove area turned out to support the inaugural John Smith memorial angling match held at Woodland View fishery , Droitwich on bank holiday Saturday.

The event, which is planned to become a regular annual event, was a great success, raising over £340 for Cancer Research in memory of John, a popular Redditch angler who passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

On a day when the venue’s prolific stocks of carp proved difficult to tempt

Bromsgrove angler Steve Harris became the first winner of the trophy with a catch of 61lb of carp to 8lb taken on pellet fished short from peg 34 on Arles pool.

Over on High pool at peg 12 Redditch man Steve Doveydaitis also found pellet to be the best bait, Steve, took runner-up spot with 56lb, also using pellet hookbait.

Just along the bank on High 16 Alan Perry was in third place with a corn tempted bag of 48lb 2oz ahead of Alan Lacey, close behind with 46lb 8 oz and Sean Tuohy with 43lb 2oz.

The organisers would like to thank all who took part in the match for their support and generosity in providing a fantastic array of prizes for the raffle.

On a low & clear river Arrow at Alcester some good chub weights were caught in the Dark Lane A.C,s match on Saturday, Martin Spencer was the winner with 14lbs 1oz, 2nd Keith Jones 11lbs 2ozs and 3rd Dave Gibbs 9lbs 12ozs.

On Sunday Throckmorton A.C,s pairs match at Coughton was won by Simon Howl & Simon Howl jr. The individual weights were 1st Phil Smith 18lbs 5ozs, 2nd Paul Murray 14lbs 10ozs and 3rd Glyn Blewett 10lbs 14ozs.