Alliance members held a rare 27-hour match at Marlborough Pool at the weekend, starting at 9am on Saturday and finishing at 12 noon on Sunday.

The bream failed to appear, but two decent carp were caught and it was Elliot Samworth, 16, who took the honours.

The only junior in the match, he emerged the winner with a lovely 19.12.0 mirror carp.

Ben Hoult was second with a 13.2.0 mirror, followed by Geoff Waddle with pike of 9.3.0 and 1.13.0.

The practice match for tomorrow’s fifth round of the Oxford Winter League was fished by 35 anglers on a cold, low and foggy Kennet & Avon Canal at Avington.

As usual on this stretch, big perch and skimmer bream figured in most of the top weights, but there were roach to be caught as well.

Dave Kirk (Fox Match Isis) led them home with 12.10.0 from the end peg on the wides above Kintbury. He caught some decent perch and skimmers on pole and chopped worm and later on caster.

Carl Eland (Drennan GOT Baits) was pegged near the top end and caught perch and skimmers on pole and bloodworm over joker for 12.0.0.

Third-placed Tony Hobbs (Drennan GOT Baits) caught perch to 2lb on pole and chop for 10.10.0.

There was a good turn-out of eight anglers for Oxford Bus AC’s latest match on their school waters of the Cherwell, which was still well below its normal level.

Terry Yates had a net of perch, the best going 2.12.0, for a winning 6.1.0 on pole with with worm and maggot.

Anthony Tompkins also caught perch on pole and worm for a second-placed 5.6.0, while Pete Clarke was third 4.12.0.of perch. He also lost two bream at the net.

The busmen are holding an open Christmas match at the same venue on December 11. Details from Terry Yates on 01865 454558 or 07768 651655 In contrast, the Cherwell at Long Meadow was a disaster for Tackley Estates AC.

Five of the seven anglers blanked, and four ounces was enough to win it for Mick Dempsey. Mick Merry was second an ounce behind.

Littlemore fished their Sumner Cup at Milton Pools, where the 12 anglers produced a total weight of 201.7.0.

Venue expert Brian Hutchings, who has won five out of the last six matches there, had to do it the hard way this time.

With few fish in the net at the halfway mark, he opted to fish at 16m up in the water with banded pellet and had some better carp for 40.0.0.

Nick Collier pushed him close, alternating between maggot and pellet to catch small carp and skimmers for 36.2.0. Vernon Adams was third with carp down the edge on banded pellet for 27.10.0.

The second round of the Paul Woodley Winter League was fished at Ridgeways by 23 anglers and the venue was on form for this time of year.

Top spot went to Dave Williams with six carp on the pole at 16m on chopped worm for 45.2.0 Kevin Simpson also had six carp on maggot and corn for a second-placed 34.0.0, followed by Dave Wilsdon with 26.12.0.

North Oxford’s Brown Brothers Cup, scheduled for the Evenlode against Charlbury, was switched to the Oxford Canal at King’s Bridge and was fished by a good field of 19 anglers.

Ben Agutter (North Oxford) recorded his first match victoery with 5.10.0 of perch taken on worm and maggot.

Second with more than 100 small fish on breadpunch and squat for 5.0.0 was Charlbury's Mark Taylor, while 4.6.0 gave Dave Scott-Picton (North Oxford) third spot with perch and chub on worm and punch.

OTHER RESULTS Oakfield: (Saturday, Swallow & Brook) 1 I Graham (J&K Tackle) 43.7.8, 2 P McLoughlin (GOT Baits Oakfield) 28.15.8, 3 L Ripper (GOT Baits) 27.1.0.

Benson: (3rd Rosebowl, Thames at Benson, 8 fished): 1 J Baldwin 3.3.0, 2 M Marriott 0.11.0, 3 D Head 0.7.0.