THE Malvern United Angling Association's popular Wednesday evening Sandford Series drew to an exciting close last week with the top spot still undecided going into the final match.

Match secretary Ian Goddard and six times champion Paul Bick were only separated by a few points. Ian had it all to do though if he was to get his hands on the cup, and only a win would do.

Ian did just that by taking a mixed bag of eels and skimmers for a winning weight of 4-2-0 and had an anxious wait for Paul to be weighed in. He tipped the scales with 3-6-0 which was good enough for second place and pipped Ian to the title by only two points to keep up his remarkable record in this competition.

Third place went to Tom Hawker with 2-11-0 taken on the feeder.

Final league positions: 1 Paul Bick 23pts, 2 Ian Goddard 21pts, 3 Steve Davies 15pts, 4 Denis Flanagan 9pts.

The latest Saturday Scramble was fished on the Severn in soaring temperatures and saw the river carrying some extra water, which was always going to make things difficult for competitors.

Club treasurer John Shaw won this one with the help of a pike of around 5-0-0 which took a liking to his feeder fished maggot hookbait! And added to his net of skimmers and eels from peg one, gave him a weight of 9-14-0.

Jerry Thomas fished the feeder to take a mixed net of eels perch and skimmers for a bag of 4-1-0 but Jerry had to share second spot with Ian Goddard who also put 4-1-0 onto the scales with a similar haul.

Next came John Wagstaff with a level 1-0-0.

The club is going on its outing to the King Sedgmoor Drain in Somerset this Sunday (August 8) and there are just a limited number of places available if any member wants to come along. The cost, including peg fee and coach travel, is £20. Please contact Mick Perks on (01684) 561777 for further details.