Christmas honour for Priestley

ROGER PRIESTLEY took top spot in the Todmorden AS Grand Christmas match on the Smithy Bridge lengths of the Rochdale Canal.

There were some decent weights among the field of 30 but Priestley, with a bite every put in, stole the show.

He had 5lb 13oz of small roach on bread punch from his peg on the lorry park.

Dave Williams, the runner-up with 3lb 9oz, opted for bread punch from his lorry park peg.

Third-placed Frank Szakaley had another small roach net of 2lb 11oz, and he was followed by Nick Andrews (2lb 9oz).

John Mellor was next-best with 2lb 5oz, while John Dakin’s had 1lb 12oz for sixth place.

The section on the other side of the road heading towards the wooden bridge was much harder as Steve Bolton needed just 8oz to come out in front.

The junior division was fished on Grove lodge, where only one competitor returned anything of note.

Beth Howarth tipped two bream and some bits on to the scales for an easy 5lb 2oz win.

Alex Smethurst was second with 3oz, followed by Callum Andrews (3oz) and Oliver Howarth (1oz).




TODMORDEN AS 2009 membership cards are now available from Sheddings Tackle and Pets, Tight Lines, Shaw, and Rochdale Angling.



Prices are —

Seniors before January 31 £34; seniors after January 31 £44; juniors to 16th Birthday £5; women, OAP’s and Intermediates (aged 16, 17 and 18 years) £17.

There are also five-year memberships (for seniors only) priced at £150.