VETERAN Worcester national star Billy Hill beat a talented opposition to win the latest Portobello AC contest held on the match lake at Willow Marsh fishery.

Pole fishing luncheon meat Hill, who has probably won more local contests than any other matchman in his long career, netted nine carp for a total weight of 45-12-0.

Two of the club's rising stars --Gary Brixton and Nic Hill -- had to settle for equal second place when both anglers took 37-8-0 to the scales.

Brixton's catch consisted of nine carp falling for pole and meat while Nic Hill's net contained five bigger fish which took his sweetcorn offering presented up in the water.

Fourth position went to local ace Alan Baldwin who entertained his fellow anglers when he landed and safely returned an over-enthusiastic moorhen before going on to take seven carp which tipped the scales at 36-12-0.

The next Portobello contest will be the annual this coming Sunday on Brockamin bottom pool. Members wishing to compete must contact secretary Max Hill before the day.

n Terry Box's domination of the Wards AC Wednesday evening league finally came to a halt when he had to settle for second place behind eventual match winner Dave Wright who netted 20-1-0 of carp from peg nine on the club pool, beating Box whose weight of 14-6-0 fell to floating bread. Third place went to Don Groves with 7-11-0.

The following Wednesday, however, saw Box reinstated into first place with a weight of 26-7-0, all his fish falling for pellets fished shallow on pole gear. Runner up was Steve Thomas who landed just three hefty carp on luncheon meat weighing 20-14-0 while in third came Leon Elsworth with a maggot caught net going 6-4-0.

The final league placing for this year were predictably; Terry Box in fist position with 80 points followed by Steve Thomas second on 65 and Dave Wright third with 53.

n Heenan and Froude AC member Dave Warren loves his club's stretch of the river Teme particularly after last weekends catch of 31-12-0 put him once again in first place. Float fishing caster bait Warren netted five barbel and two chub to beat second placed angler Howard Chance who's catch of 14-14-0 consisted of three barbel which all fell for luncheon meat.

Moorlands Farm: Saturday Open -- 1 D. James 137-15-0, 2 D. Dutton 108-5-0.

Saturday Evening: 1 D. Clewley 125-4-0, 2 I. Whitehouse 111-7-0. Drennan Division One -- 1 M. Twos 96-14-0, 2 P. Bailey 94-4-0.

Sunday Open: 1 C. Cameron 101-6-0, 2 D. Clewley 76-4-0.

Junior Steadfast 2000 Open: 1 C. Williams 55-12-0, 2 G. Knock 44-6-0, 3 J. Hall 45-2-0.

Moorlands Farm will continue to hold junior opens every Tuesday and Friday throughout the summer holiday.

Swan AC are holding an open match on Evesham Jubilee's Windmill pool on Saturday, August 16.

Entry costs £15 details form Dave Bennett on 01905 26803.

Due to a recent improvement in catch returns there will be a WDUAA open on the canal this coming Sunday. Draw is at 8.15am at the Cavalier pub.

Prospects: The recent heat wave will see carp basking on the surface where floating baits like bread or dog biscuit will take fish however, shallow waggler fishing with plenty of maggots should not be over looked. The local canal has been producing good bags of skimmers which, along with good nets of hemp caught roach, has marked an up turn in sport.