THE Erewash Canal appears to have returned to form after several weeks with very few bites.

Anglers have struggled to catch on the stretch at Trent Lock in recent weeks.

But the Open match held there at the weekend, which was a practice for the forthcoming Erewash Valley League, produced an average weight of over 4lb per angler.

Good quality perch and roach, plus the occasional tench, were caught by most, including winning angler Rob Parker (Long Eaton Federation).

Parker, who was fishing from peg 107, used a variety of methods for his 8lb 3oz net, with most falling to bloodworm and joker.

Those on pegs nearby also did well, with similar catches of 6lb 10oz and 6lb 2oz giving second and fourth places respectively to Pete Hunt (Mill Tackle) and Alistair Chisholm (Shakespeare).

At the other end of the match length, on peg 124, young Ryan Miller broke into the prize list with a third-placed catch of 6lb 6oz.

Miller's net included some good quality roach, which were caught on bloodworm.

Newly formed Rose & Crown AC, based at the pub of that name in Chellaston, got their season off to a disappointing start, as they competed in the first round of the Angling Times Van den Eynde Clubman competition.

Rose & Crown, who were formerly Aston & Weston AC, were drawn against Guildford Europe AC from Mansfield for the match on Marstons Pool, Barrow.

The eight-man team were beaten by six sections to two, with Alan Glover and Johnathan Trivett the triumphant pair for Rose & Crown.

Meanwhile, new member Tony Harrison topped the weights in Rose & Crown's first club match, fished on the Oaktree Lake at Brinsley.

Harrison caught 15lb 4oz of carp and silver fish, beating Johnathan 8lb 11oz net and Alan Brown's 6lb 15oz bag.

The club's next match is on the Canal at Ratcliffe on Soar on March 28.