LAST weekend saw the 48th Annual River Kennet Teams of Six Championship from Calcot to Beat Five (Berkeley Avenue roadbridge), writes Alan Hughes.

Ten teams – making a total of 60 anglers – were booked in for this match.

After a cold start the weather was sunny, warm and dry, and with a moderate breeze blowing. The Kennet had a good colour and was flowing strongly after heavy overnight rain.

Many thanks to all those that turned out on the day and thanks also go to the proprietors and staff at Sally’s Café, Burghfield, which was used for the draw and result headquarters.

Sally’s Cafe also kindly donated a free breakfast to the winner of the match. Total match weight on the day was 111lbs 13ozs (at an average weight of 2lbs 4ozs per angler).

The winning team was Adventure A.S. & Prestcold A.C., who comprised Sean Barrington, Mick Donohoe, Roy Green, Graham Hawkins, Nick Richardson and Paul Wilding.

They totalled 39 points and pushed Tring Anglers A (Andy Allday, Tony Beadle, Colin Macbeth, Dave Moore, Dave Northam and Martin Rodwell) into second spot with 29 points.

The match was won by Les Kemp of Reading Fishing Club Blind Chickens.

Fishing the first peg upstream of the A33 Road Bridge, on Beat 4A section, he banked a barbel of 4lbs 13ozs, an eel of 2lbs 4ozs, and bits during the course of the match, fishing maggot feeder tactics, with double red maggot on the hook, over maggot feed, to record a weight of 8lbs 1oz.

Clubmate Len Wilby was second overall. Fishing the first peg downstream of Berkeley Avenue Road Bridge on Beat 5B section, he banked one chub of 4lbs and bits during the course of the match, fishing stick float tactics with single and double maggot on the hook, over maggot feed, to record a weight of 5lbs 15ozs.

RDAA general secretary Alan Hughes, fishing for Courage A, was third overall. Fishing the first peg upstream of the Road Bridge on Burghfield River section, he banked two chub to 3lbs and bits during the course of the match, fishing waggler tactics with single and double red maggot on the hook, over maggot feed, to record a weight of 5lbs 7ozs.

Fourth place was shared by John Jackson of Reading Civil Service A and Dave Northam of Tring Anglers A with 5lbs 2ozs each.

The section weights were: A section (Burghfield River) – 13lbs 13ozs, B section (Calcot B) – 8lbs 12ozs, C section (Beat 4A) – 18lbs 2ozs, D section (Beat 4B) – 23lbs 15ozs, E section (Beat 5A) – 21lbs 5ozs and finally F section ( Beat 5B) – 25lbs 12ozs.

The RDAA Tuesday Club went to Sonning to fish the Thames. George Callaghan took the honours with a 8lbs 4ozs of roach and perch.

Runner-up was Mick Mills with 6lbs 1oz of roach and perch and John Berry was third with 5lbs 14ozs of roach.