Top match anglers from across the region went toe to toe on the Ouse, in Saturday's Eastern Region Shield.

Despite the heatwave and a clear river, just two of the 90 who took part in the match blanked, while the average weight was 3lbs 4oz a peg.

Winner Chris Vandervlit, from the Maver Image squad, put 10lbs 14oz of pole-caught roach on the scales, narrowly beating Littleport's Adrian Crane two pegs away, who weighed in 10lbs 12oz.

Both were drawn in F Section, on the King's Lynn AA stretch, which also produced fifth- and sixth-placed weights.

Third-placed Tim Nash, from Browning Hot Rods, came third with 9lbs 15oz from D Section.

Maver Image took team honours, with 37lbs 1oz and 70 points. Littleport came second, with 33lbs 15oz, while Sensas Mark One equalled them on 66 points but weighed in 26lbs 4oz.

Lynn AA chairman Kelvin Allen said results were 'excellent' for the conditions.

We seem to be well into uncharted territory on the rivers, with the recent mini-heatwave following an incredibly dry summer.

The previous week had seen a 100lbs' bream net near the railway bridge at Ten Mile, and some respectable roach nets around the Chapel and Modney Bridge on seeds.

Pike-wise it's been a non-starter so far. Some have their hopes pinned on falling temperatures towards the end of this week and into next. My hunch is rain and plenty of it is what we really need. My confidence sinks when I peer over the edge and can see what's happening six feet down.

Last weekend saw many from the Fens and further afield flock to Kettering for the annual Pike Anglers Club Convention.

Attendances were up and there were junior teach-ins running alongside the 'adult' entertainment.

The re-vamped King's Lynn PAC gets a winter of talks and activities under way at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, on Wednesday, October 26.

Fenland Pike author Denis Moules is special guest, with what's bound to be an interesting talk.

Other names lined up include Neville Fickling, on November 30; while Derrick Amies and Mick Brown are also pencilled in, dates to be confirmed.