The big event on Saturday was the Division Two national championships which took place on both the middle and tidal reaches of the River Trent where both Boston and Lincoln were involved, writes Barry Mallett.

They were up against the likes of locals Nottingham AA and Mansfield, who both ultimately featured in the top 10 teams.

Browning Hotrods finally took the first prize by a single point from Mirfield AC and Reading, three more points further back.

Boston had a mediocre day as only four of the 10-man squad could manage enough points to finish in the top third of their respective sections – a minor consolation is that they fell only three places short of a strongly fancied Lincoln team who came home in a disappointing 19th place.

Individually many of those who made the top 20 were drawn in K section but the outstanding winner, in the shape of Terry Ashton of Nottingham took full advantage of a good peg on A section, which incidentally provided the 19th and 20th places from the same vicinity.

Boston's Reece Dillamore finished with a very creditable 27 points.

As this was his first senior national since moving up from the juniors he was understandably very nervous before the start, but soon settled down when the show got on the road.

Drawn at Winthorpe, just off the Rack, his catch consisted of a small barbel, plus a number of other small fish.

There were a lot of good weights but as usual this did not tell the whole story as the match was very peggy, most of the big weights coming from K section.

Pleasure anglers continue to enjoy good nets of roach, skimmers and some big bream from the middle reaches of the Sibsey Trader Drain, that is when they find a few clear pegs amongst the ever spreading weed growth.

Things may look up in a week or two as much of the system has now be sprayed in recent days, but going on other years this will certainly not have a permanent effect on those areas that are most affected.

The Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain is an entirely different kettle of fish.

Here most species are present in large numbers with the added bonuses of decent sitting positions in the shape of those platforms every 18metres plus very little weed to contend with.

The same cannot be said of the Horncastle Road section, which despite usually receiving an early cut, is soon overwhelmed by those patches of lilies, which in some places extend out towards the middle of the drain.

A good case in point for Windsor Bank was the Fishtoft AC match on the 'swings' area last Sunday as every one of those that took part brought around 4lbs of various species to scales.

Ben Brighton once again ran out a reasonably comfortable winner using his usual pinky and then hemp tactics to take an all roach catch.

Mark Cook pushed him most of the way, as whip and pinky tactics brought him a good net of skimmers and second place to go with it.

Simon Penson was third and Brian Blackamore found a few small bream to chopped worm for fourth.

1 Ben Brighton 13lbs 14ozs; 2 Mark Cook 11lbs 8ozs; 3 Simon Penson 9lbs 3ozs; 4 Brian Blackamore 7lbs 12ozs.

Next Sunday meet Moon Lake, Tattershall 8.30am.

It was far from ideal for Stickney AC on the Swandyke Lane area of the Hobhole Drain.

A strong wind in one direction and a heavy run off in the opposite made angling doubly difficult.

No surprise then that the bream in general refused to feed and just one small specimen of 3lbs was enough to give Kevin Hunt victory.

1 Kevin Hunt 7lbs 8ozs; 2 Rod Damms 5lbs 1oz; 3 Alan Fear 3lbs 4ozs.

No club match this coming Sunday.

A reminder to those that intend fishing the BDAA Championship on August 30.

The match will take place on the Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain and tickets are £3.50 plus optional pools on the morning. Anglers should book in for this event no later than Thursday evening by contacting Barry Mallett on (01205) 871815.