GREAT Yarmouth's team of ace anglers repaid their sponsors in full last Sunday by winning the Norfolk Broads Summer League on the tidal rivers Bure and Thurne.

GREAT Yarmouth's team of ace anglers repaid their sponsors in full last Sunday by winning the Norfolk Broads Summer League on the tidal rivers Bure and Thurne.

Tony Anderson, Aide Hendry, Mark Haverson and Brian Gooch - competing under the Browning/Pownalls banner - defeated a whole galaxy of star teams to chalk up their most important triumph since their formation three seasons ago, writes Roy Webster.

Team captain Anderson scored the maximum 10 section points, as did Gooch, with Hendry claiming nine and Haverson eight for a winning total of 37 points that hoisted the Regent outfit four league points clear of their nearest challengers - Norwich DAD Black on 69, followed by the two Anglers Worlds teams another two points off the pace.

“We fished to a game plan and went for bream in the known areas of the River Bure and concentrated on roach in the River Thurne where we knew winning section points would hard earned.

“Over the series we won two rounds and scored a third and a sixth, and that form proved to be sufficient to get the job done and we are absolutely over the moon with this result,” declared jubilant team boss Anderson.

Chief sponsor Steve Pownall said he was most excited by his team's massive success in the league achieved against the Broads angling elite. “They have really done our tackle shop business as well as town anglers proud. These four lads have set a great example and mark the bench for every ambitious match angler,” he enthused.

Other local teams: Sportsmans were ninth, Stalham veterans were tenth, JOLLY boys 13th, and the Stalham club team 19th among the field of 20 teams lined up along the two rivers.

Top individual on the day was Gary Kiddell of Big Hits with 25lb 4oz of river Bure Bream followed by Nick Larkin of Nisafeeders with 24lb 2oz of similar fish. Leading individual of over all was Lewis Murawski of Anglers world who scored 39 points out of a possible 40.

In the Saturday Yarmouth League on the tidal River Yare another spectacular roach bonanza was won by Rod Finch of Deben with 36lbs 13oz.

Ormbsey match star Stephen Rouse pulled off a brilliant winning double at Mill Farm with 77lbs 8oz on Thursday and 131lbs 4oz on Sunday.

Other match results: Sportsmans (Melton Ponds) J Lenord 81lb 7oz, S Huggins 60lb 7oz, L Hodges 40lb 13oz. Carols (Melton Ponds). A Waldron 139lb 4oz, C Waldron 66lb 2oz and P Barnard 31lb 8oz. Martham (River Thurne) S Jackson 7lb 12oz, P Sparks 7lb 8oz, G Maddison 6lb 8oz. Lacons (Aldeby) J Coleman 26lb 7oz, K Barfield 14lb 11oz, P Nicholls 11lb 2oz. Dukes (Ormesby Broad) I Spalding 9lb 8oz, N Goose 8lb 10 oz and B Spalding 7lb 14oz.

On the specimen carp waters Hall Farm Burgh Castle was in splendid form. Gary Anderson, Yarmouth netted 65 fish estimated at more than 300lb including a 16lb 9oz mirror. Gorleston's Gary Price netted 30 fish to 13lb for 260lb total, Ben Shallcross, Yarmouth reeled in 27 specimens, the best a 17lb and the heaviest was 20lb 6oz Mirror for Gorleston's Lee Newbold.