Roy WebsterFollowing a number of postponements during the recent freeze-up, the first round of the Barford Winter League for Teams of Five got underway on Sunday.Roy Webster

Following a number of postponements during the recent freeze-up, the first round of the Barford Winter League for Teams of Five got underway on Sunday.

As expected, the newly formed crack outfit Lathams Fishing.co.uk succeeded in establishing an instant impact.

Captained by the league organiser Daniel Brydon, Lathams raced to an eight penalty point victory against fierce opposition lined up on the banks of Barford's Railway, Pleasure and Willow lakes where two Anglers World teams were next with 12 and 17 points respectively.

The Railway lake produced the top three individuals headed by AW's James Parnell with 42lb 11oz of carp and silver fish chased home by Lathams' Neil Parkinson with 42lb and AW's Stuart Bracey 39lb 2oz.

Brydon said: ' We are a new team but all of us are experienced match anglers.

'I am delighted Lathams have got off to a splendid winning start'.

The River Wensum in Norwich produced fair match returns despite the river beginning to run clear.

Norwich ace Steve Borrett completed an excellent weekend double on this venue, carrying off top honours at Saturday's open event with 27lb 7oz of bream and roach from a peg close to the fire hydrant and repeating his form on Sunday by heading the Earlham Silvers card with a mixed bag of 22 lb 3 oz from the Yacht Station.

On the pike fishing match circuit remarkable catches were weighed in on the North Level where Wisbech rod A Mclagish totalled a 71lb 5oz winner including his personal best of 21lb 10oz.

Oulton Broad is reported to be in fine fettle for pike fishing with one of the best scaling around 28lb for local specialist Nick Pottle. Waveney Valley lakes also produced predators for Lowestoft regular Jimmy Foreman and a friend who shared a catch of 11 pike to 17lb. Carp have been scarce at this venue, the best a mirror nudging 20lb for fishery warden Andrew Goldsmith.

t Fakenham Angling club is appealing to members to volunteer for vital working parties to erect otter proof fencing around their carp fishery.

Already this year the remains of a number of huge carp killed by otters have been discovered on the banks and this prompted the immediate purchase of fencing materials.

However, despite urgent appeals for help, just three club officials turned up at the first working party to sink posts around the lake.

Match secretary Dave Playford fears this essential work will not be completed before the lake is seriously depleted of more prized fish unless at least a dozen members turn up for the next shift.

He said: ' It is vital we complete the fencing within days rather than weeks and I urge volunteers to contact me as soon as possible on 01328 855 602.'