Mark Bowerman took the honours in a practice match for the Angling Trust Oxford Winter League, fished by 36 anglers on the Medley stretch of the Thames.

With the river getting clearer by the day and lacking any flow, the last thing the anglers wanted was bright sunshine and no wind – but that’s what they got.

In these conditions, the fish often shoal up tightly and all the weights were from the last 12 pegs at the bottom end.

Sensas A4 angler Bowerman drew the end peg and had mainly roach on pole and maggot for a winning 20.2.0.

Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths anglers filled the next two spots.

Paul Glenfield was on the end peg in ‘perch bay’ and also had all-roach bag of 18.9.0 on pole and maggot over groundbait.

Tony Hobbs had roach on pole and maggot for 17.8.0.

Ten anglers fished the Masons AC points match on the Thames at Donnington, where lots of boats and a busy towpath made life difficult.

A few bream were caught, along with lots of roach, skimmers and perch, with all the anglers tending to stick to the feeder or waggler.

Bob Yeomans came out on top from the end peg by the cottage, catching a few of each species for 21.8.0.

Jason Smith, pegged opposite the mouth of the Cherwell, had skimmers and roach to a pound and a half for 13.1.0, followed by Alan Smith with 8.6.0.

North Oxford AS contested their Pixie Shield on a low and slow Thames at Godstow.

Karl Beauchamp made the most of his end peg, catching roach and perch on maggot over groundbait for a winning 8.5.0.

Using the same tactics, Ron Hamblin weighed in 5.11.0 for second, just ahead of John Coleman who used the feeder for 5.3.0 of bits.

OTHER CLUB RESULTS

Sutton Courtenay AC: (Silver Goblets, float only, Thames, Appleford reach, inc guests from Marston FTB, 18 fished) 1 C Webb (Marston) (skimmers & roach; maggot) 10.14.8, 2 R Gosbee (SCAC) 8.2.0, 3 A Tomkins (Marston) 7.9.0.

Tackley Estates AC: (Club match, Stable Lake, Kirtlington, 12 fished) 1 J Fisher 84.0.0 (all carp, method feeder, pellet), 2 J Spencer 50.12.0, 3 S Malone 49.8.0.

Oakfield: (Wednesday, Swallow Lake, 17 fished) 1 M Giles (RS Baits) 84.4.8, 2 N Bryan (The Bull) 82.8.0, 3 P Alland (Dynamite Oakfield) 62.0.8.

Oakfield: (Saturday, Swallow & Red Kite Lakes, 29 fished) 1 G Thorpe (GOT Baits) 138.6.8, 2 J Blavins (GOT Baits) 92.7.8, 3 L Ripper (GOT Baits) 79.9.0.

Oakfield: (Sunday, Swallow Lake, 20 fished) 1 B Eddy (Dynamite Oakfield) 85.6.8, 2 G Thorpe (GOT Baits) 85.1.8, 3 R Guppy 55.8.8.

TOMORROW’S FIXTURES

Angling Trust Oxford Winter League, 1st round: Thames, Medley, Channel, Folly.

Marston AC FTB: v Dorchester AC. Cherwell. Draw 8am, fishing 9-2.

Sutton Courtenay AC: Mullins/Croucher Cup. Abingdon Town waters. Draw 8am, fishing 9-2.

Littlemore AS: Aggregate Cup 2nd rd, Oakfield. Draw 8am, fishing 9.15-12.15.

Beehive AC: Harry Strong Shield. Draw 9am, fishing 10-3.