TONY Summers of Brockweir has retained his over-50s Welsh National Angling Championships title – but only just!

Tony, who is grouped with the strong Sirhowy match club, recorded a winning weight of 45lbs 10ozs at Rehill Fishery, near Monmouth, to just pip second placed Phil Rawlings, also of Sirhowy, by eight ounces. In fact a mere five pounds in weight separated the top five.

Pegged on the opposite bank to last year, Tony fished long pole virtually throughout the five hour contest taking some big carp on maggot hook bait.

As he put it: "I was last but one to draw, but when I pulled out peg 2 I couldn't believe my luck as it was the peg I was hoping to get".

Phil Rawlings used similar tactics, but with sweet corn hook bait.

On the day, most of the top men lost fish, as the cold water and bright conditions made the prolific head of carp finicky. In fact an encouraging number of silver fish – mainly small bream and roach – were caught to supplement the resident carp.

The main prize list contained five Sirhowy members with just David Couzens of Merthyr breaking the Sirhowy dominance with third spot overall.

Organiser Anthony Rees said he was delighted with the day.

"The close fishing gave us a nail-biting finish with the result not being clear until the last man was weighed in. Colin Miles and his team have again put on an excellent show at this superb angling venue."

Result: Tony Summers (Sirhowy/Wye Angling) 45-10-0; Phil Rawlings (Sirhowy) 45-2-0; David Couzens (Merthyr) 44-2-0.