The Drennan Northern Division concluded in grand style producing carp galore for the ten teams of eight on the prolific Woodland Lakes, near Thirsk, writes JEFF HERBERT.

Middlesbrough Newman Scott's early dominance on the Tees and an equally impressive display on the carp ensured the division title with team stalwart Bill Blythe, the league individual champion.

First on the day, Map Elton's Andy Waistell hauled out a super 76.8.0 off Skylark 32 towards the corner. Pellet on the pole at six metres over little feed enticed a steady succession of carp - best up to 6lb - making it two victories for locals Map Elton on the Woodland complex, this time with a record equalling 72 points.

A poor mid-match hour scratching only a single orfe proved costly for Cleveland Angling Centre's Mark Coyne. Drawn on Skylark 27 carp on the short pole using pellets and paste resulted in 67lb.

Top teams on the day: 1 Map Elton 72 points; MNS 64; 3 CAC 55

Final table: 1 MNS 377 points; 2 Darlington AC 322; 3 Map Elton 320; 4 CAC 299; 5 Yarm 258; 6 Strikemore Baits 257

In Thornaby's September Cup on the Tees small fish fed in numbers, particularly roach, from a nicely coloured match length between Croft to Hurworth.

George Pierce gave a good display on the stickfloat and caster bagging 17.8.0. The ex-Richmond rod who now lives in Brotton sat below Croft Road Bridge and located roach, dace, chublets and grayling down the inside.

In the frame yet again RSPS regular Ken Close, who netted 12.10.0. Pegged at the Hunting Bridge, tiny pieces of meat on the float accounted for chub around the one pound mark supplemented by plenty of dace and chublets to caster.

At Over Dinsdale, Haughton's Ian Hamer headed another impressive scoresheet lifting the Durham County title with 24.2.0. Fishing below Middleton Village on the run-off, Ian alternated caster and corn on both stickfloat and waggler rigs taking five decent chub plus dace, roach and chublets.

Durham's Gerry Bowes nudged into second place off the noted Wire Netting peg. All chub for 16.5.0 responded utilising both caster and corn.

Others: M Lowery (Haughton) 16.2.0 and B Armstrong (Harrowgate Hill) 16lb

Carrying colour, the Swale was a few inches up and small fish showed from several swims during Middlesbrough Anglers Corner Cup, but quality chub decided the pool's money.

KL Tackle's Steve Newns, enjoying a good run, pulled out the flyer at Ainderby Rapids and promptly delivered 34.6.0. Stickfloat with mainly maggot and occasionally caster accounted for 13 big specimens and four chublets.

Doncaster's Steve Evans, drawn on the run-off at Holme Top, alternated stickfloat and bomb on the wasp grub collecting 16 chub for 27.4.0.

Knaresborough almost have the title in the bag following a tremendous performance beating rivals Ripon on their own patch in the penultimate North Central League fixture on the River Ure. They also boasted top two individuals on the day to put the icing on the cake.

Richard Sowerby finished in front on 26.8.0 off the Willowgarth upstream of the North Bridge. Waggler and caster tactics brought quality chub at intervals from farside cover.

In contrast, team mate Graham Burnham weighed mainly small fish below Hutton Beck. Stickfloat and caster caught dace and chublets, but highlights were two big perch putting 21.8.0 on to the scales.

League to date: 1 Knaresborough 412 points; 2 Ripon 371; 3 Claro 367; 4 Boroughbridge 342; 5 Wetherby 338; 6 Thirsk 318

Trout scene

Newburn's Kevin Lanceley proved a comfortable winner during the 2000 House of Hardy Northumbrian Water Fly Fishing championships on Derwent Reservoir.

Fishing from the Dam Wall, Bibios and Black Fritz tempted ten rainbows totalling 14.2.0. Steve Fletcher (Blackhill) had to settle for runner-up spot with six fish for 9.4.0.

Hartlepool's consistent Peter Crowe took heat seven of the Quali-Tie Ferryhill Bank Masters. At the Cronkley area of Derwent five rainbows fell to Cat's Whisker and Vivas for 11.8.0 pushed all the way by Ernie Craster with six fish on Bright Yellow Lures for 11.4.0.

Reservoirs

Scaling Dam: 205 rods, 289 fish, four limit bags, Sedge, Patterns and Hoppers taking several rainbows and brownies to 3lb.

Grassholme: 246 anglers, 571 fish, 28 limit bats. Rainbows to 8l, worm best.

Hury: 172 visitors, 421 fish, 37 limit bags. Mainly worm producing rainbows to 7lb.

Blackton: 97 rods, 267 fish, eight limit bags. Dawson's Twine, Booby and Viva tempting rainbows to 6lb.

Derwent: 481 anglers, 1,160 fish, 85 limit bags. Hoppers deadly. Best fish of the week a super rainbow of 9lb.

Fontburn: 345 visitors, 547 fish, 16 limit bags. Plenty of variety with brown, brook and rainbow trout.

Kielder: 100 rods, 208 fish, nine limit bags. Rainbows over 3lb.

Leighton: 98 rods, 294 fish, 46 limit bags. Small traditional flies, Bibios and Daddy Longlegs accounting for rainbows to 6lb.

Fixtures

Saturday, September 16: Harrogate and Claro Booth Trophy, Lingerfield Gravels. Thornaby AA David McGibbon McCulloch Memorial Junior Cup, Ascot Ponds. Northallerton and DAC Fundraiser Open, River Swale, 100 pegs, ring Kevin on kevin on (01609) 778031. Woodland Lakes Open, 106 pegs, Kestrel, Partridge and Skylark.

Sunday, September 17: Black Ox AC Swale Cup fish 2-7pm. DBT AA Scottish and Newcastle Trophy, River Tees. River Ure championships, 200 pegs, tickets £15, ring (01765) 605467. River Wear championships, River Wear, tickets in local tackle shops. Yarm AA Alan Wells Memorial, Lower Tees. Thornaby AA Bob Alexander Delegates Cup, River Tees Croft to Hurworth