A strong field of 80 anglers from all over Wales converged on the prolific Red Hill fishery last Saturday (29th September) for the national team championships.

With both team and individual honours at stake, the event was sure to be keenly contested in the bright sunshine. The top side also has the opportunity to compete in next year's World Club Championships, which added further incentive to win.

The 16 teams of five were spread over the whole complex, which boasts more than 120 superbly maintained pegs all capable of producing good weights.

The two new teams backed by international tackle giant Browning were favourites, along with last year's winners Cwmbran Nobblers and a strong Cefn Fforest side.

Despite the clear conditions weights were spectacular, and exceeded all expectations with 12 anglers taking over 100 pounds to the scales, with two weights being double tons.

The prolific Bob Giles of Browning Black repeated last year's success, this time from Molly's lake where he took 223 pounds of carp mainly on maggot hook bait over caster feed.

He caught well all day, the fish ranging from around a pound to almost six, and he fed so much bait to keep them in his swim he ran out with 10 minutes to go,

He managed to find a couple of maggots for the hook and promptly finished the day with his two biggest fish.

Leading the way on Sophie's lake was Phil Weaver of Nobblers Blue, who also took over 200 pounds of carp from corner peg 8. Phil is a master at the caster, and quietly went about his business fishing mainly in front at four or five metres, but supplemented his catch with some larger samples right up against the grass banking.

It was back to Molly's for third place, which went to Cardiff Nomads grouped, Rob Dyer with 150 pounds.

On the team front, the fancied Browning teams delighted their new sponsor with a one-two finish. The Browning Red quintet of Rob Jones, Adam Mitchell, Luke Sorokin, Mark Goodall and James Thomas producing a stunning performance accruing just 16 penalty points to leave them 12 points clear of Browning Black.

The Neath and Swansea-based team were over the moon with the victory on their first outing under their new colours.

Captain Rob Jones said: "While we came here with a clear plan, we could not have hoped for a better result – taking the team first and second plus Bob taking the individual crown.

"The boys are really delighted with the start we've made for Browning and feel today marks the beginning of what we hope will lead to even bigger things."

The next four teams were separated by just a solitary point, but Browning Black took the runner-up spot by virtue of a superior weight total – the highest on the day of 463 pounds.