No fewer than ten chub over the 5lb mark were caught in the third round of the Oxford Winter League, which was fished by 50 anglers on the Thames at Radley and Abingdon on Sunday, writes Andy Webber.

After a mild week and some rain to freshen up the river, it was hoped the shoals of roach at both venues would feed, but they had not read the script and it was very much a chub- dominated match, with only small gudgeon and perch to back up the weights.

Kevin Holmes (Sensas A4) was the top individual with 59.9.0 from a well-known chub peg upstream of the boathouse at Radley.

He had to wait a couple of hours for his first chub, but when they arrived he had 11 of them to nearly 6lb and a few perch on maggot-feeder cast to the far-bank features.

Second with 18.9.0 was Paul Passmore (Turner’s Tackle), who drew a unfancied swim five below the boathouse at Radley but managed five chub on maggot-feeder fished towards the far bank.

John Aldridge (FM Isis) had 17.1.0 for third place from the bottom end at Radley.

He caught three chub and two perch on maggot-feeder and also lost three chub which got into the far-bank trees.

Team-wise, Sensas A4 finished top with 47 points, followed by Drennan GOT Baits with 45.

Current standings: 1 Drennan GOT Bait 4pts, 2 Sensas A4 6, 3 Turners 8.

More good chub were caught in the Jolly Anglers’ match fished on the BMH by eight members.

Dick Edmunds weighed in 12 of them for a winning 31.2.0, the best fish weighing 5.10.0, caught on maggot-feeder.

Phil Ansell was runner-up with 7.8.0 which comprised a decent chub, plus five smaller ones, on groundbait-feeder.

Third-placed Lee Crook had five chub on maggot-feeder for 6.12.0.

The Cherwell showed signs of improvement with a little colour and flow for the eight anglers contesting Marston’s Pipeline Centre Cup. Winner Steve Tomkins weighed in a net of perch, including three of more than 2lb, on worm over chopped worm on the pole for 13.8.0.

Pete Clarke had 10.11.0 of roach on pole and breadpunch for second place, followed by Anthony Tomkins, who caught perch and roach alternating between punch and worm for 6.2.0.

Dorchester fished their third Inter-League match on the Oxford Canal at Frenchay Road in Oxford and the clear water made it hard work for the eight anglers.

Using chopped worm straight down the middle, Lol Budd weighed in 12.13.0 of perch for first place.

Dave Mitchell was helped into second place with a 3lb jack pike taken on worm, and he also had a few skimmers, roach and perch for 6.10.0.

Andy Crisp was third with 4.15.0 of perch on pole and lobworm.

Once again ‘The School’ fished very well for the six anglers in the latest Oxford Bus AC match, although the Cherwell is low and covered in leaves.

Using a pole with punched bread, James Pagano caught mainly roach for a winning 11.2.0.

Nick Brookes was second with 8.1.0, also using the pole and alternating between maggot and worm to catch roach and perch.

Nick Rumble also caught roach and perch on maggot and worm for a third-placed 4.2.0.

The nine anglers who fished the Masons match on the River Thame at Thame found it tough going, although plenty of crayfish were caught.

Dave Pether took the honours with 9.1.0. He used a bait-dropper with chopped worm and caster and then fished worm over the top to catch perch to 1lb, plus roach and dace.

Chris Webb used a stick float and maggot to catch 6.10.0 of dace, roach and chublets for 6.10.0.

Third place went to Steve Phillips with 6.4.0 of roach, dace and perch on pole and maggot.

Kidlington visited the Thames at Clanfield for their Joan Hill Memorial and also took on Clanfield.

It proved a struggle for the 24 matchmen as no large fish showed and everyone had to scratch around for bits.

The silverware went to Henry Clarke with a net of small roach and perch weighing 5.7.0, all on maggot-feeder.

Jan Cebula finished second with 3.14.0 of perch and Bill Burnell was third with 3.9.0 of perch. Both used the feeder.