HARWICH Angling Club held their second open match – an all-fish-count contest – on the high-numbered C pegs and low-numbered B pegs of Dock River.

Although the turnout was down on last year, everyone was keen to start fishing.

When the match started, in warm, sunny conditions, with gusty winds, it soon became clear it was going to be tough, as there were no signs on any bonus fish patrolling around this section of the river.

All anglers struggled to catch regularly, with a few opting to target carp at the beginning of the match. Others went for the silvers and put fish in their nets first, before looking to see if any bonus fish were around.

Kim Naish (Chelmsford AA) on peg B4, pole fishing with the float and bread punch as hook bait, won the match with a weight of 1lbs 11ozs of roach, rudd and skimmers.

Close behind in second was Steve Palmer (Harwich AC), on peg C48, weighing in with 1lbs 6ozs 8drs of silver fish.

Third place went to Laurie Snell (Harwich AC), with a 1lbs 3ozs 8drs weight of silver fish from peg B2.

All anglers put fish in their nets, but no-one managed to land any bonus fish.

The third open match is scheduled for Sunday, August 9.

Meanwhile, Harwich held the tenth in a series of 11 midweek evening matches, using peg numbers C30 to C49 and B1 to B4.

On a warm and overcast evening, with the river looking in good condition following a recent work party to remove some weed, there was a good turnout of members.

With just one more match to go, the title is still to be decided and everyone was looking to draw a good peg that could have a bonus fish in their swim.

Some anglers initially opted to try and find a bonus fish, while some played safe and went for the silvers to get the points first.

After all the results were checked, it turned out to be a close match, with just 15ozs separating the top three places.

In first place was junior Rosie Mortimer, float fishing using the pole from peg B3.

Fishing slightly over depth, using small balls of ground bait at regular intervals, she weighed in with 3lbs 12ozs 8drs, thanks to a bonus bream of 3lbs 12ozs, along with a few small roach.

Following closely in second place was Rob Houlding, also float fishing with the pole from peg C34, with a weight of 3lbs 4ozs of roach, rudd and skimmers.

In third place, with a weight of 2lbs 13ozs 8drs of silver fish, was John Pettitt on peg C48, with fourth place going to Ged Spurgin on peg C49 with 2lbs 3ozs of small silvers, both float fishing using the pole.