KIDDERMINSTER tackle dealer Mal Storey finished third in the Daiwa-Bewdley Angling Festival when Wolverhampton angler Nigel Ball (Colmic) took the honours.

There were 90 competitors in the three-day event on a river which had risen by two feet during the week and was coloured.

The winner received over £2,000, plus a Daiwa Matchwinner 11/13 rod and a crystal trophy, for his top aggregate weight of 65lb 2oz.

Ball's week had begun slowly with 6-12 from peg 25 on the first day and just 5-10 from the same peg on day two.

His day three draw put him on peg 77, which had produced a 35lb weight in the Wednesday match.

Ball attacked the swim with a groundbait feeder and small pellets with a single large pellet hookbait and caught barbel up to 5lb, giving him a day three win with 52-12.

In second place was Italian visitor Mario Molinar who totalled 63-1 and in a 30-minute battle lost a 5lb barbel that could have won him the title.

Storey took third spot with an aggregate score of 59-3.

Match organiser Dave Harrell confirmed the festival will go ahead again next year and Daiwa hope to continue their backing.

All this year's competitors will have first refusal on places but it is hoped to extend the event to 100 pegs next year.

The next big event on the stretch of water is the Teams of Four Championships on August 16 and 17.

For information and an entry form, call 07919 122393.

Festival results, top six, day one: Craig Evans (Drennan North West) 32lb 8oz (peg 87), Mal Watson (Shakespeare) 30-12 (15), Mark Jones (Halesowen) 18-4 (70), Lee Gardner (DC Lifestyle) 13-14 (58), Phil Jackson (Willow Creek) 12-14 (1), Steve Maher (Tipton) 12-12 (97).

Day two: Molinari (Daiwa Italy) 46-3 (67), Lee Gardner (DC Lifestyle) 35-8 (114), Kevin Hodgetts (Halesowen) 35-0 (77), Joe Brennan (Tipton) 30-11 (47), Maher (Tipton) 28-5 (33), Nick Burrage (Bridgnorth) 27-3 (120).

Day three: Ball (Colmic) 52-12 (77), Storey (Storeys Tackle) 47-14 (29), Keith Russell (Bell Otters) 32-9 (113), Gary Farmer (Tipton) 19-12 (106), John Stockton (Heathway) 17-12 (40), Pete Edwards 17-6 (58).

Overall: Ball (Colmic) 65-2, Molinari (Daiwa Italy) 63-1, Storey (Storeys) 59-3, Watson (Shakespeare) 57-6, Gardner (DC Lifestyle) 53-10, Jones (Halesowen) 52-12.