THE latest cup contest in the Malvern United Angling Association's calender was fished for on the Severn at Holdfast last Sunday, when members competed for the Fitzwater Cup.

Driving rain and wind throughout the match were terrible conditions to fish in but made for good bream catching weather.

Veteran clubman Dave Harris knew this and when he drew peg one, he went all out to catch them. Dave used a groundbait feeder packed with loose offerings to take several big bream and some skimmers, the biggest of them going 7lb 2oz, the largest in a contest for some time. Dave's total haul tipped the scales at an excellent 31-10-0 which was enough to take the cup by some margin.

Way back in second place was Neil Humpage on peg 13, who despite several malfunctions on his reel, managed to land one nice bream and some skimmers on the feeder for 8-8-0.

Club treasurer John Shaw drew peg nine and netted one good bream and an eel for 5-8-0.

The Wednesday evening Sandford series continues with last year's winner Paul Bick heading the field once again. Bick has taken a third place and two first places so far.

At Holdfast on July 6, Ian Goddard was the winner with a bag of 6-15-0, including two good bream, Mike Spragg was second with mainly skimmers for 6-5-0 and Paul Bick was third with mostly eels for 5-7-0.

On July 13, the series moved to the Avon and Paul Bick was well clear with a bag of eels, perch and roach to weigh in at 7-14-0. Neil Humpage was in second spot with 5-11-0 (skimmers) and Mike Spragg was third with 1-4-0.

Big weights were the order of the day on July 20 at the pool and Paul Bick again led the field with 41-15-0. In second place was Mike Spragg with 31-10-0 and third Neil Humpage with 22-10-0.