Robert Head (Oxford Drennan GOT Baits) made a winning start to the Angling Times Winter League in very difficult conditions on the Thames between Clifton, Dorchester and Benson, where 66 fished.

With the river desperately in need of some flow, it was tough going for the seven teams, with hardly any big fish being caught.

Robert had a 2lb perch and a 1lb roach in his winning weight of 11.13.0 taken from Benson.

Having prepared ten good balls of groundbait on the long pole line, Robert fished maggot and pinkie over the top to take fish steadily throughout the day.

In second place was Brian Sharples (Faringdon Exiles), who fished the hotel field at Clifton Hampden.

He took 11.8.0, made up predominantly of roach.

Also at Clifton Hampden, Kevin Holmes (Sensas A4) was third with 10.12.0.

Teams on the day: 1 Sensas A4 57, 2 Oxford Drennan GOTBaits 53, 3 Fox Match Isis 49, 4 Faringdon Exiles 40, 5 Garbolino Banbury Gunsmiths 37, 6 Carp League 25, 7 North Oxford AS 15.

Beehive AC held a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for well-known angler and member Andy Crabb, who died recently.

Beehive contested their Freight Shepherd final on an out-of-sorts Lower Court, fished by 12.

Nigel Waters retained the trophy with 96.06.00 of carp caught on maggot from the margins.

In second spot, Mark Bennett finished with 47.12.00 taken shallow with maggot.

Bob Aider was third with 36.12.00 of carp down the edge.

Yarnton fished their final Summer League match over at Panshill, and it was hard going for the 20 matchmen.

At the final whistle, it was Dave Chandler, with 31.12.00 of small carp who came in first, fishing pole and maggot.

Using pellet, Doug Robinson was second with 21.05.00, while Andy Wiffin (RS Baits) was third with 15.07.00.

Summer League points: N Collier 57, H Oliver 51, S Miller (Predator) 50, J Willoughby 49.5. Weights: S Miller 283.00.12, N Collier 199.01.00, H Oliver 158.08.00, J Willoughby 153.12.12.

Dorchester fished an Inter League match on the Thame downstream from the bridge.

With hardly any water, it was hard work.

Dave Head came out the clear winner with 14.00.00, fishing the pole with red maggot.

His best fish was a chub weighing 6lb 14oz.

Lol Budd was second with 01.14.00 of bits, while third place went to John Wheeler with 01.00.00.

Masons and Kidlington fought it out on the Thames at Port Meadow, and the fishing was described as ‘terrible’ for the 21 anglers.

The final result saw Jason Bean (Kidlington) win with 11.05.00, including three chub on the maggot feeder.

Masons took second and third with Steve Phillips weighing in a perch for 02.00.00 and Jason Smith another perch of 01.11.00 – both using the maggot feeder.

Points after 8 matches: J Bean 68, H Clarke 50, A Middleton 47, G Cuss 36.

There was a good turnout of 20 anglers for the Kinloch AC match at Folly.

There were plenty of fish caught, even though the river was clear.

Bill Bryant won with a net of roach and perch weighing 10.09.0.

Bill fished the pole and alternated between red maggot and caster.

Runner-up with another net of roach and perch was Mark Manning, weighing in 09.02.00 using the long pole and maggot.

Fred Harrison was third with 08.13.00 of roach and perch, also using the maggot and caster.

RESULTS Oxford Waltonian King & Queen Specimen match (Wheatley Bridge): 1 T Gee (Acorn Angling) 10.09.00, 2 P Bowers 07.09.00, 3 L Knight 04.10.00.

Cuddesdon Mill VAA Open (Thame, Chistlehampton, 12 fished): 1 B Hutchings 10.02.00, 2 T Sexton 02.10.00, 3 R Martin 02.02.00.

Jolly Anglers CJ Holmes Trophy (Thames, Fairmile, 12 fished): 1 S Gray 06.08.00, 2 M MacDonald 05.07.00, 3 M Micallef (Acorn) 04.14.00.

Charlbury AS (13 fished): 1 S Arthurs 06.07.00, 2 C Taylor 05.12.00, 3 P Hickman 04.02.00.

Kidlington AS Open (Cherwell at Thrupp, 12 fished): 1 D Britnell 04.03.00, 2 G Cuss 03.04.08, 3 P Jackman 02.12.00.

Oakfield (Wednesday, Swallow, 15 fished): 1 S Johnson (Maggots End) 43.05.00, 2 J Brewster (GOT Oakfield) 41.05.08. 3 T Jeans (GOT Baits) 18.00.00 Oakfield (Saturday, Swallow/Brook, 19 fished) 1 J Beesley (Drennan Oxford GOT Baits) 56.02.00, 2 L Ripper (GOT Baits) 43.07.00, 3 P Alland (GOT Oakfield) 42.04.00.

Panshill (Wednesday, Pans Lake, 14 fished): 1 D Simons 100.12.00, 2 A Foulkes (Panshill) 92.08.00, 3 B Eddy (Panshill) 78.12.00.

Panshill (Sunday, Wood Lake, 18 fished): 1 B Eddy (Panshill) 58.12.00, 2 J Light (Maver Farnborough) 41.15.00, 3 D Simons 34.12.00.

Sutton Courtenay (Silver Goblets, float only, Appleford Reach, 9 fished): 1 R Rolfe 06.01.00, 2 A Hewer 05.04.00, 3 E Capocci 03.02.00.

MATCH DIARY Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday.

Oakfield: Tel 01296 770899.

Panshill: Tel 07740 619991.

SUNDAY Littlemore: Secretary’s Cup, Sunningwell Lake. Draw 7.30am.

North Oxford: Club Match, Waltonwell Road. Draw 8am.

Oxford Bus AC: Club Match, School Waters. Draw 6.30am.

Oxford Waltonian: A&J Cup, Wheatley Bridge. Draw 8am.

Sutton Courtenay: J Mullins/R Croucher Memorial, Otneys. Draw 8am.

Dorchester: Berks/Oxon, Dorch-ester Bridge. Draw 8am.

ODAA Waters October 11: Medley Up/Down, Channel, Folly, Donnington Down.