Beach anglers from the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston district are poised to pull off a brilliant hat-trick of team victories.Competing under the East Anglian Baits banner Paul Tovell and Clyde Leggatt of Gorleston, Dwane Lockwood and John Lacey of Yarmouth and Keith Morley of Kessingland are the members of the crack squad who will successfully defend their North Norfolk Division of the National Sea League Championship when it comes to the final showdown on Bacton beach on March 15.

Beach anglers from the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston district are poised to pull off a brilliant hat-trick of team victories.

Competing under the East Anglian Baits banner Paul Tovell and Clyde Leggatt of Gorleston, Dwane Lockwood and John Lacey of Yarmouth and Keith Morley of Kessingland are the members of the crack squad who will successfully defend their North Norfolk Division of the National Sea League Championship when it comes to the final showdown on Bacton beach on March 15.

Last Sunday the Bait boys extended their lead to a massive 19 penalty points over their nearest challengers North Norfolk Lads after winning

the penultimate round at Kelling with just seven penalty points, writes Roy Webster.

It was not so much the quality of catches that left the hot favourites in an unassailable position but more their relentless persistence that brought sufficient small fish to the scales to chalk up the vital scores.

Although John Carter (North Norfolk Lads) was the winner with 2lb 3oz, it was Leggatt and Tovell filling the next two places respectively with 1lb 14oz and 1lb 13oz.

Other high section placings boosted the hot favourites who came home four points ahead of the joint runners-up on the day who were NN Lads and TCX both on 11 penalty points.

“I think we shall qualify for the final again and the rest of them are fishing for second place at Bacton,” agreed Tovell.

“Actually we've enjoyed some fair sport in recent rounds until the bad weather set in. On Sunday it was hard going but there were enough small fish to get a result and we shall go on to win the title for the third year.”

Result: J Carter (NN Lads) 2lb 3oz, C Leggatt (EA Baits) 1lb 14oz, P Tovell (EA Baits) 1lb 13oz. Teams on day: EA Baits 7 penalty points, NN Lads and TCX both 11. Leading standings: EA Baits 33, NN Lads 52, TCX 60.

On the freshwater scene prospects appear grim for the present, but the future seems bright for local match men come next month.

The much-anticipated challenge event of the year between teams of local clubs situated in the Mercury circulation area is scheduled for March 29 on the Barford Fishery Railway and Willow Lakes.

Team entry costs �30 payable to Pownalls Tackle Shop in Regent Road and further information is from Lee Arnold (07795468694).

Back to the present, freshwater results during this harshest winter for some 20 years have been grim in the extreme and the waterside has been no place for any individual enjoying less than boisterous good health.

Stalham president, octogenarian Len Reeves, monitors the progress of the anglers on the club lagoons from the comfort of his sitting room in such biting conditions and he reports that the weekend result was R Rossington 10lb 7oz, R Farmer 8lb 12oz, C Timms 7lb.

Most of the local carp lakes not kept free of ice by artificial means were totally glazed over and unfishable, and with overnight frost forecast for much of the weekend prospects are rated poor for the carp enthusiast.

The main rivers and broads are likely to be ice-free but the best spots undoubtedly will be boatyard lagoons and dykes such as Catfield, Martham and Horsey.

A number of anglers from the Yarmouth and Gorleston area are members of the Norwich and District Anglers Association.

At their annual meeting it was agreed that annual subscriptions for adults would rise from �12 per season to �15, pensioners and registered disabled form �6 to �8 with junior fees frozen at �1.

New members will pay a joining fee of �3 and boat hire for two anglers to fish the broads will remain at �5.

The NDAA banks are situated on the River Bure at Woodbastwick and St Benets Abbey, the River Thurne at Cold Harbour, Ludham and the River Ant downstream of Ludham bridge.

In addition, fishing is available on Ranworth and Woodbastwick Decoy Broads and dinghies are available on both. Boat bookings are achieved at the Norwich tackle shop Angling Direct from Monday to Saturday but Sunday bookings for individuals or affiliated angling clubs are only through treasurer Cyril Wigg, 3 Coppice Avenue, Norwich (01603 423625).

The Yarmouth and Gorleston representative on the NDAA committee is their deputy chairman Karl Hodgins. He can be contacted on 01493 652566 or 07747347124.