COMPETITORS turned out in force for the eagerly awaited Environment Agency supported N.E River Championship. The 100 anglers were spread from Croxdale through Durham downstream to Chester le Street and the event was also used to carry out a fish survey.

Championship winner Barry Lockey of Shotton Match Group lifted the title with 18.4.0. Edging the waggler into mid river it was dace after dace on maggot from a swim above Shincliffe Bridge.

Croxdale produced the runner up off peg 20. Ian Bullock of Wansbeck & Cramlington collected 4 chub & 3 dace to floatfished maggot for 16.5.0 Newman Scott skipper Dave Smiddy whipped out an incredible 349 gudgeon off the Cathedral stretch in Durham for 12.5.0 and 5th place.

On the Swale at Helperby local John Cosgrove shattered the record with a colossal bag of 86.12.0 during the final round of the Ouse / Ure / Swale Challenge match. Amazingly the 'record buster' broke his own record of 79.10.0, set 12 years ago.

Peg 6 towards the Myton Grainge end of the match length hit tremendous form. Stickfloat and caster tactics produced 5 barbel to 7.0.0 then heavy loose feeding on the caster brought 20 quality chub.

In the Northallerton & DAC Open on the Swale, Leeds rod Pete Miller couldn't believe his luck when he pulled out red hot peg 45, scene of several wins, including 2 for Peter.

It was straight on the method stickfloat and caster and despite conditions being low clear and bright sunshine, 11 chub and 2 barbel made up a bumper 50.4.0 from Ray King RSPS 32.4.0.

This Sunday's Ripon Piscatorials River Ure Championship is again sponsored by Ripon Interiors and the winner could pick up £500 subject to ticket sales. Entry closes 9pm tonight. Tel. 01765 / 604099.

A skimmer explosion made for good backing weights during the Yarm AA Wells Memorial on the lower Tees but it was quality bream for those at the top.

Every ounce counted and Phil Noble of Stokesley snatched the verdict recording 17.6.0. Groundbait feeder and worm approach tempted 5 bream boosted by a few crucial bits while 2 swims above on 191, Paul Jackson of Shimano Quaker caught 5 good bream for 17.3.0 from Stephen Bell of North Ormesby Instit. 17.1.0.

Thornaby AA September Cup (40 pegs) Tees - Croft to Hurworth: K Close (RSPS) 25.2.0 - 7 good chub + lots of chublets to floatfished pellet; J Blades (Hurworth) 16.2.0; B Trees (Darlington) 15.4.0.

Durham Co. Indiv. Match Tees - Over Dinsdale: I Hamer (Haughton) 20.5.0 - quality perch & chublets to stickfloat red maggot & worm; S Chantry (Harrogate) 16.4.0; E Willans (Darlington WMC) 14.0.0.

LEIGHTON RESERVOIR Masham N Yorks - 168 visitors 462 fish. Rod average 2.75. Bernard Thwaites of Well landed a super rainbow of 9.4.0. Dawson's Olive, daddies and various nymphs most popular.

Fixtures Tomorrow: Yarm AL Tees - Over Dinsdale Woodland Lakes Open Oaks Sessay Sunday: Yarm AL Tees Championships Tees - Yarm DBT AA Scottish & Newcastle Trophy Tees - Coniscliffe to Croft Ripon Pisc. River Ure Championships (200 pegs) - Hutton Beck to Bishop Monkton Gurkha Charity Open Tyne Oaks Sessay.