STEVE Warren edged the match from Ken Yates as Malvern Anglers ventured into Herefordshire for the second round of their winter league series. 

On a cold, late autumn day with frequent showers blown through on a stiff northerly breeze, Evesbatch Lakes' bottom pool hosted the contest.

Carp were the deciding factor in a tough, close-fought match.

There was little to separate the top two with Warren edging it with a weight of 33lb 0oz 0dr against Yates’ 29-7.

Warren’s haul included six carp, the best being a specimen of about 10lb in weight, plus a number of roach caught using red maggot as bait fished slightly over depth in just three feet of water. 

Opposite him at the same end of the lake, Yates caught steadily using hair-rigged luncheon meat as bait to tempt six carp to 6lb.

Fishing in deeper water at the other end of the lake and finishing in third place was Paul Lane.

He weighed in 23-2 of carp, perch and skimmers caught on the pole at 13m using red maggots as bait just touching the lake bed in six feet of water.