PLENTY of rain and much colder weather conditions has been the order of the recent weeks, but the Island lodge still remains in top form.

In the latest Saturday series match held on the Island Lodge, we had an improved turn-out. Chris Hogan took top weight of 7-9-9, in second place Graham Smith took 5-13-6, and in third place Ron Buckley had 4-2-15. On Sunday, Parker's was the venue for the October Cup, fished on the field-side.

Top weight fell to Dave Waggler with skimmers, roach and perch, 4-2-15. In second place Roy Gough had 2-6-6, and Chris Hogan in third with 1-7-4.

Also on Sunday, the third round of the Angling Times Team Championship took place on the Lancaster canal at Salwick, with 71 anglers participating. Drennan North West were the top team with 28 points, Saints & Sensas NW 31, Ted Carter Southport 32. Drennan North West head the league with three points, Saints & Sensas NW with seven.

Top Individuals: Ian Mounton (Drennan NW) 3-12-14; Chris Gorral (Ted Carter Southport) 3-11-0; Jonathan Jowett (Drennan NW) 3-10-8. On Saturday, the Angling Times/ACA British Pike Championship was held on Glassmoor Bank, Cock Bank and Twenty Foot river, near Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, with an entry of 454 anglers. Alan Hickson had top weight of 35-8-0, taking five pike - four on lures.