BARBEL dominated the winner's net during the RSPS Alan Howe Memorial Lower Swale Championships staged between Asenby and Helperby. Idle's Charlie Hardaker lifted the coveted trophy recording 27.5.0.

Bomb and triple caster fished down the middle delivered 5 barbel to 6.0.0 and 1 chub off peg 40 at Helperby. For runner up RSPS organiser Jeff Herbert victory was almost in the bag. On peg 24 in the shallows, 11 chub came to bomb with caster and wasp grub but disastrously at the weigh-in a big chub vaulted for freedom straight out of the net and the remaining ten totalled an agonising 26.14.0. A tremendous roach catch of 25.0.0 with fish up to 14ozs proved the high spot for 3rd place Peter Hyde of Marsh Tackle.

On the Upper Swale at Easby to Langton, Darlington rod Keith Atkinson weighed in 24.3.0 to easily settle the Haggie Cup. Keith on the run off, peg 34 at Ellerton landed 7 chub to floating bread from a shallow glide. 2 pegs downstream Newcastle's Paul Brent followed with 4 chub for 12.15.0.

Still on the Swale the Northallerton & DAC Sheldon Cup at Scruton produced a haul of 47.11.0 for Paul Bosomworth. On the noted peg above the jetty corner, floatfishing maggot tempted 11 chub plus a lovely barbel of 9.2.8. While Pat Adams of the RSPS included another good barbel 9.3.0 in his 2nd place net of 21.8.0.

The last leg of the NE Drennan League proved an exciting finale in one of the most competitive series for many years. Shimano Quaker, Daiwa Cleveland Angling Centre and Newman Scott were separated by a mere 1 point going into the final clash at Woodland Lakes. Shimano Quaker emerged the ultimate team spearheaded by a hat-trick of wins on the day. Darlington youngster Jonny Maddison took the individual honours with 93.4.0.

Individual Series winner: Newman Scott's Bill Blythe 43 pts.

Teams on the day: Shimano Quaker 63, Daiwa CAC 61, Newman Scott 42. Final Table: Shimano Quaker 304; Daiwa CAC 301; Newman Scott 282; Yarm 240. Northumbrian Water Charity Match Whittle Dene Reservoir: B Ramshaw (Turners Tackle) 9.8.0. L McIntosh (Shimano Quaker) 8.10.0. D Watson (Durham) 7.12.0. Knaresborough Piscatorials Open R Nidd - K Wright (Gt Silsden) 12.9.0; K Whincup (Knaresborough) 8.9.0 Leighton Reservoir Masham - 184 rods - 553 fish. Excellent sport with fish being caught at all levels including: Dawson's and Cats whisker through to Buzzers, Muddlers, Daddies and spiders.

FIXTURES Tomorrow: Northallerton & DAC AC Open Swale - Scruton to Far Fairholme. 01609 / 779073 Woodland Lakes Open Oaks Sessay Sun Sept 9 Thornaby AA Sept & Jnr cups Tees - Croft to Hurworth Durham Co Indiv.

Tees - Over Dinsdale Yarm AL Alan Wells & T Porter Memorial Tees - Yarm River Wear Championships 0191/3842450 Bradford No1 AA Hirst Cup Raskelf Lake North Central League (4) Nidd - Knaresborough Oaks Sessay.