It doesn't get much better than last Sunday - what a magical day the February 29 turned out to be for Middlesbrough FC fans.

First the Carling Cup and then a magnificent new record of 125.12.0 was set on the River Ure during a remarkable Ripon Piscatorial's final Open of the season.

When many anglers in the region struggled to catch fish following heavy snow fall, Ripon's near capacity sell-out produced a totally unexpected result on the Hutton Beck to Barn Island match length.

A frosty Ure, running low and gin clear surprisingly delivered the goods 'big style' for KL Tackle man Steve Newns.

Fishing above the famous Leatham's run-off, the waggler with red and bronze maggot across to far bank willows kicked off the action.

Steve, on the third cast of the day, found the chub eager to feed and they were still feeding when he left.

Pulling out chub averaging 1.8.0 all day, Steve rounded off an historic day with an arm aching but satisfying 86 samples in the net.

Weights then dropped dramatically but nevertheless the excitement continued as Aireborough's Steve Aldridge tested his skills to the full snatching runner up spot by just 3ozs.

Sat above the North Bridge on the Willowgarth run-off, all centred on the opening three hours.

Waggler and maggot fished across connected with ten chub as Steve had 27.9.0 in the net before the bites dried up.

Leeds Angling Centre's Steve Beckwith on the gravel run off opposite Myers Hole at Sharow caught a dozen chub for 27.6.0 as waggler and maggot scored again.

Winning Sunday's Thirsk Open on tiny Swale tributary Cod Beck, RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco ace Gerry Bowes made the most of a good draw on the bottom of the Grisewith Farm section.

The narrow waterway was perfect for a top and bottom approach and Gerry edged the stickfloat and maggot through, picking up nine chublets all around the mark to put 9.12.0 onto the scales.

Knaresborough's Keith Whincup not far behind netted 8.11.0 followed by Darlington rods Bob Walker 8.2.0 and Barry Stephenson 6.14.0.

Carp NEWS

Weights were below par at the Oaks Sessay on Sunday as competitors struggled against the elements yet a good entry of 76 turned out.

Fished on Cedar Lake it was a close call and every fish counted.

Headingley Angling Centre's Jamie Clay weighed in the best net of 24.5.0.

Jamie, on peg 23, took the pole out to 12 metres towards the aerator and encouraged small carp offering maggot and pellet to keep them interested.

A down the middle approach worked for second place Terry Kenny of the Oaks who slipped in second spot with 21.9.0 off peg 43.

At the Woodland Lakes complex bitterly cold winds restricted both sport and attendances for the midweek slot and Diawa Goldthorpe's Daryl Taylor beat the other 30 competitors when he stuck to the pole for a winning 22.6.0.

Daryl, on Dragonfly Lake's peg ten, went right over at 17 metres on the corn to pick up small carp in bursts.

Legered corn and maggot did it for Dave Harris of Diawa Cleveland when another small carp bag of 18.7.0 came from Kestrel Lake's peg 27 for second place.

Saturday: Dragonfly, Kestrel, Partridge & Skylark (26 pegs): 1 J Chapman (Map Elton) 16.10.0 - small carp to pole & maggot at 14 metres off Kestrel 31; 2 B Sowerby (Knaresborough) 8.14.0; 3 T Neesam (Elton Tackle) 7.10.0.

FIXTURES

TOMORROW: Woodland Lakes Open - Tickets on 01845 / 526110.

SUNDAY: Northallerton & District AC Condor Cup River Swale - Scruton to Far Fairholme. Tickets on 01609 / 779073.

Idle & Thackley AA Open River Swale - Swainby. Tickets on 01274 618569.

Thornaby AA Jack Aston Open Trophy River Tees - Croft to Hurworth.

Yarm AA (re-arranged) Harry Wilson Memorial Lower Tees.

Bradford No1 AA Charity Sweepstake River Nidd - Cowthorpe. Tickets on 01274 571175.

Black Ox AC Albert Lawson Trophy Bedale Beck Leeming.

Busters AC River Tees - Over Dinsdale.

Oaks Sessay Cedar Lake.

Woodland Lakes Open.