THE 25th Annual RSPS Team Masters, one of the country’s biggest river events, attracted a huge turnout of 193 anglers to the banks of the river Swale.

For the first time ever all 3 trophies were won by one team Helperby & Brafferton Angling Club. They picked up the Individual Honours trophy, the prestigious Team Points and the Team Aggregate Cup.

The match length between Morton Bridge and Asenby island was carrying a foot of extra cold clear water but dropping.

Bob Sinclair (Helperby) enjoyed a dream day hauling out a colossal 62.7.0 in the individual stakes on a day when many competitors suffered dry nets and only 10 double figures weights were recorded.

Scene of the action was at Gatenby on peg E16 where Bob worked waggler and maggot along farside willows hooking 16 quality chub at intervals on his way to a bumper £300 pay day.

Runner up spot went to Ian Parker (Eccleshill) who recorded 41.1.0, a catch that would likely have seen him on top on any other day.

Fishing at Holme top H6 on the gravel bend below the Wiske mouth stickfloat and maggot approach down the middle also brought quality chub 13 in all, with specimens to 4.8.0.

Making up the top trio Andy Nelson (Darlington Brown Trout) pulled out F8 at Stubthorn Farm Maunby and in contrast opted to fish the tip in an effort to beat the strong winds tempting 6 chub, 5 to bread while the other accepted meat for 24.10.0.

Others: P Adams (Northallerton) 23.10.0 (B17); A Evans (Northallerton) 17.0.0 (J17); A Ward (Darlington Brown Trout) 15.12.0 (G8).

In the team event it was a hard battle so hard in fact 2 teams of 12 anglers completely dry netted.

Winners, Helperby & Brafferton rose to the occasion accruing 106 points from a possible 204. The clean sweep was ensured when 7 team members weighed in a combined aggregate weight of 94.11.0.

Reigning champions RSPS slipped below desperately needing one more angler to weigh in scoring 92 points from Darlington Brown Trout 85 pts; Tees / Swale Select 84; Northallerton & District 80; Bradford No1 AA 72;

FIXTURES - Tomorrow: *Thornaby AA Jack Aston Open Tees – Croft to Hurworth. 01325/481818, *Yarm AL Stuart Meehan Memorial Tees – Yarm. Tues, March 3: *Middlesbrough AC Gordon Brown Memorial Swale – Gatenby to Skipton. 01642/899288. Sat, March 7: *LTAA March Charity Open Lower Tees – Preston Wood to Bowesfield. 01642/899288.