SWAN AC star Les Sanders improved on his previous week’s Droitwich open third place by winning their difficult contest on the Worcester canal at Tibberton.

Drawn on peg one on the slabs Sanders beat a weather-affected, reduced turnout by sticking to his favourite bread punch tactics.

He offered two thirds across for around 20 small roach to 2lb 4oz 6dr.

Consistent Sue Jaques was second from peg nine with 1-5-8 of small roach on bread punch.

Third was Paul Colley with 0-6-13 beating veteran Bill Biddle with 0-6-10 for fourth prize.

The next Swan club contest is on the canal at Alvechurch on February 26.

Further along the canal at Whitford Bridge, Barley Mow members also struggled with the conditions.

But in-form Pete Chance put a winning 4-4 of one big chub and a few slivers on bread.

Bread bait also worked for runner-up Kevin Downton with 4-2-12 made up mainly of roach.

Section prizes went to Mick Price and Chris Ballard.

Woodland View, Saturday, silver fish league: 1 M Capewell 14-0, 2 C Vallender 13-3, 3 A Powell 12-2, 4 A Power 11-14; league to date: 1 C Hopps 9 points, 2 S Nickless 10, 3 K Woodfield 12; Sunday pairs league: 1 T Whitcher 84-8, 2 O Boswell 57-6, 3 E Grey 53-0, 4 I Wheldon 46-8; pairs to date: 1 G Clark & E Grey 41, 2 M Westley & S Lawrence 49, 3 I Wheldon & E Bryant 55.

Moorlands Farm, Tuesday, Costcutter open: 1 M Watson 85-5, 2 P Hodge 75-7, 3 C Pace 68-15; Saturday open: 1 G Reynolds 23-4, 2 M Henshall 16-14, 3 D Williams 16-11; Sunday open: 1 P Bailey 24-2, 2 K Turner 11-11, 3 M Watson 11-1.