Sensas Thyers prevail despite tough conditions

Torrential rain, gale force winds and floating leaves combined to make fishing uncomfortable for the 70 competitors in the third round of the South West Winter League, fished on the River Avon between Swineford and Frys.

The top team honours went to Sensas Thyers, who scraped home by a point from league leaders Preston Innovations Thatchers with a 52-point performance that kept them in the top three.

Meanwhile, Thatchers increased their lead over main challengers Sensas Bathampton Avon Aquatics to two points and boasted the top individual in Liam Braddell.

Braddell drew to fish the Swineford outfall from peg 3 and knocked up a massive 86-12-0 catch of bream from with groundbait feeder and worm.

A close second was Sensas Thyers captain Kev Perry, who used the same tactics to tempt a similar 74-8-0 from neighbouring peg 2.

Results – Individuals: 1, Liam Braddell (Preston Innovations Thatchers) 86-12-0; 2, Kev Perry (Sensas Thyers) 74-3-0; 3, Paul Isaacs (Sensas Bathampton Avon Aquatics) 19-12-8; 4, Mark Harper (Preston Innovations Thatchers) 18-4-0; 5, N Johnson (Sensas Veals) 16-9-0; 6, Andy Floyd (Maver Veals) 11-3-0.

Teams: 1, Sensas Thyers 52 points; 2, Preston Innovations Thatchers 51; 3, Sensas Bathampton Avon Aquatics) 49; 4, Maver Veals 40; 5, Sensas Veals 35; 6, Amalgamated Fisheries 28; 7, Bristol Angling Centre 25.

League: 1, Preston Innovation Thatchers 4 pts; 2, Sensas Bathampton Avon Aquatics) 6; 3, Sensas Thyers 7; 4, Maver Veals 12; 5, Sensas Veals 15; 6, Amalgamated Fisheries 17; 7, Bristol Angling Centre 20.