IT is always a last resort when Warrington Anglers’ Association’s management committee withdraws membership for serious breaches of rules.

Two members have been banned for leaving litter, though they expected not to lose their membership for a first offence. Leaving litter shows disregard for all our sport stands for.

Another member was banned after being repeatedly warned by our bailiff to reel in his extra rod and for having left his baited rods unattended.

The latter, which breaches Environment Agency fisheries legislation, can easily result in a fish being tethered and possibly condemning it to a slow death by starvation. River conditions can change overnight, but the tiny River Dane is worth a visit because over the past few weeks members have reported catches of chub and grayling.

The trick is to use bigger baits to avoid the minnows. Alan Green, after being plagued by these voracious little feeders, changed to legered luncheon meat and he was soon into his first Dane chub.

At around 2½lbs, followed by four others around the same stamp plus a small grayling, it was good sport.

Due to adverse river conditions the Saturday Mersey Series match was cancelled but the band of hardy Mersey devotees were out the following day to support our annual ‘Christmas Prize’ match.

Paul Harding clocked up his first win of the year with 1lb 9ozs 0drs of 15 small roach caught on groundbait feeder and maggot.

Ant Higham was in second place using the same method and weighed in 12 fish for a weight of 1-4-12.

Many thanks to committee member Ade Green whose well-practiced shopping skills ensured every angler received a prize.

This week’s Disabled and Over 60s match fished in the Dead Length saw George Barber add to his successful results of previous weeks to make it a triple consecutive win.

He fished his usual pole and bread-punch tactics and for good measure winkled out a few perch with pinkie for a clear win with a predominantly roach catch weighing 4-2-12.

Alan Brown was the runner-up with 2-12-12. WAA headquarters at 52, Parker Street, is open on Fridays between 7 pm and 8.30pm for new members, subscriptions, night permit renewals, and any queries. Really short on reports at this time of the year so please share your catch reports to help fellow members. Email catch details to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Results:

Sunday Mersey Series (Christmas Prize Match): 1, Paul Harding 1-9-0; 2, Ant Higham 1-4-0; 3, Paul Hitchen, Martin Lenihan 1-2-0. Disabled and Over 60s (Bridgewater Canal): 1, George Barber 4-2-12; 2, Alan Brown 2-12-12; 3, Lennie Dutton 1-13-15; 4, Graham Belton 1-12-9.

Events:

Saturday: Mersey Series, draw 9am, Kingsway allotments. Sunday: Mersey Series, draw 9am, Victoria Park. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s (Bridgewater Canal), draw 10am, Walton Arms.