When it comes to bridging the important gaps between success and failure in tight situations, the Norwich-based angling outfit Biffin's Bridge are up for it – and expect victory in the final round of the Barford Winter League.

And while they have not quite followed the Canaries' example of sweeping all before them in recent weeks, they still hold top spot in the table, 15 points ahead of 2014 champions Matrix.

Matrix team boss Warren Martin recovered from the previous round's disappointment to weigh in top catch of the day, 80lb 150z from peg 41 on the Railway. But despite Adam Playford's contribution of 57lb 10oz from Railway 1, the reigning champions finished third with 25pp.

Biffin's Bridge, who came joint fifth with 30pp in this penultimate round, would need to suffer an absolute disaster in the final showdown on March 15 to squander an almost unassailable lead.

Warren Martin accepts Matrix are competing for second spot.

'We have no hope of catching the leaders, but we are keen to make runners-up in this chancey game of winter match fishing,' he said.

Biffin's captain Lee Carver is already ordering the champagne.

'There's no way this league title will slip out of our grasp,' he insisted. 'None of our team has scored a blank, even from Sunday's rotten draw. Come March 15 we shall be champions of this league, bank on it.'

While the Railway Lake produced four of the top six returns, Alan Tuck of Suffolk AD was runner-up with 67lb 5oz from the Willow.

Team winners were Pools Fodder with 19pp, then Suffolk AD 20pp, Matrix 25pp and Wensum Valley Tackle 27pp.

Lee Carver's preparation for Sunday's tournament involved a visit to the Barford midweek open, where he heaved out a magnificent winner scaling 119lb 12oz.

At Cobble Acre, Norwich match ace Dave Pike clinched a double with 39lb 10oz midweek and 52lb 12oz on Saturday.

At Mill Farm, Rob Finch (Deben) scored with 37lb 8oz.

On the rivers where the shutters come down on Saturday week, Halesworth bait producer Lol Higgins advertised his wares on the River Waveney at Beccles. He ended his five-hour demonstration with the most spectacular net of roach ever recorded by the Norfolk and Suffolk Veterans – 36lb 4oz of immaculate red fins, which match organiser Joe Beckham has never witnessed before.

'The catches were fantastic all along,' recalled Beckham, whose own rod was appropriately bent with the runners-up haul of 24lb 7oz.

Graham Kettle won both Mulbarton events with 52lb 8oz and 27lb 10z.