JUST 12 ounces separated the top fishermen from Yorkley and Lydney angling clubs in a clash of piscatorial skills at Cannop Ponds on Sunday.

On a day when the fish were scarce and difficult to catch Lydney shaved the five hour competition, weighing in 13lbs 8oz to Yorkley's 12lbs 12oz.

But it's not over yet! There' s a rematch at Lydney Lake a week on Sunday when Yorkley hope to reverse the result and snatch victory in this annual two match clash.

Yorkley chairman and match secretary Terry McKenzie was puzzled by the low weights and the vanishing trick played by Cannop's normally responsive shoals of bream.

"They were nowhere to be seen and the weights were very disappointing," he said.

"Normally when the water is a little coloured we catch plenty of fish. But there was a lot of extra water and there was perhaps a drop in temperature which put them off."

Top spot and the match pool of £60 was picked up by Lydney's Mark Annis who weighed in 7lbs 15oz. Keith Griffiths (Yorkley) was second with 3lbs 4oz and £50, with third and fourth spots taken by Steve Harding and Matt Grindle, aged 13, who won £40 and £32 respectively.