Marston FTB AC’s Steve Tomkins was in hospital earlier in the week, but that didn’t stop him fishing their latest club match on the Cherwell – and winning it too!

Steve felt unwell on the Tuesday and went to the hospital the following day to be told he had suffered a minor heart attack.

He was fitted with a stent and kept in for observation until the Friday.

Most anglers might have taken things a bit easy after that, but Steve was determined to get back on the riverbank and capped an interesting week by catching two decent bream to win Marston’s match with 6lb 6oz.

Anthony Tomkins was runner-up with two roach for 2lb exactly, one of them weighing 1.10.0, followed by Graham Bradshaw with three roach for 1.5.0.

After looking perfect for most of the week, the Cherwell was on the way back up and racing through.

However, after this week’s mild weather, conditions locally could be spot-on for tomorrow – just in time for the end of the river season!

Ron Hillier had to work hard for his victory in the Kidlington AS Hiller Championship, fished by 16 anglers on the Highwayman stretch of the Oxford Canal.

Fishing for the trophy donated by his father, Wilf, Ron caught a total of 92 small roach on punched bread and pole for a winning 4.14.0.

Dave Pether took second place with 3.10.0 of skimmers on the same tactics, while Sonny Ayres returned 3.1.8 of roach and perch on bread and worm respectively.

Points after 18 matches: 1 J Bean 116, 2 T Lester 101, 3 H Clarke 94, 4 P Jackman 62.

Tackley Estates AC were also on the canal at Three Pigeons, all ten anglers returning bags in excess of 2lb.

Geoff Broome led them home with 5.8.0, followed by Ian McCormick with 5.1.0 and John Spencer 3.13.8.

Tom Rice returned a haul of 123.2.0 – the top weight from Oakfield Fishery this winter – to win Sunday’s match fished by 23 anglers.

He started on method feeder and after several liners, swapped to liquidised bread, before switching to bread punch on a straight lead.

A succession of carp to 10lb fell to those tactics, giving him an easy victory.

Result: 1 T Rice 123.2.0, 2 S Nicholls (Banbury Gunsmiths) 44.6.0, 3 A Foulkes (Dynamite Oakfield) 35.1.0.

OTHER RESULTS

Oakfield: (Wednesday, Red Kite & Swallow Lakes, 15 fished) 1 N Bryan (The Bull) 56.6.0, 2 P Neal (RAF Old Lags) 50.0.0, 3 J Brewster 30.0.0.

Oakfield: (Saturday, Red Kite & Swallow Lakes, 23 fished) 1 M Stimson (Didcot Angling) 44.14.8, 2 N Bryan (The Bull) 38.3.0, 3 P McLoughlin (Dynamite Oakfield) 30.10.0.

TOMORROW’S FIXTURES

Kidlington AS: Last Chance Cup. Cherwell (or canal at Grovelands if river in flood). Draw 8.30.

North Oxford AS: Secretary’s Invitation, Thames at Godstow. Draw 8am, fishing 9-2.

Dorchester AS: Benson Inviation. Fishing 9-3.

Masons AC: Club match, Oxford Canal, Rock of Gibralter. Draw 9am, fishing 10-3.

Marston FTB: Pipeline Centre Cup. Cherwell. Draw 8am, fishing 9-2.

Charlbury AC: Open, Evenlode. Draw Charlbury Station 8.30am, fishing 10-3. £15 all in.