STAN Howard set a new match lake record at the Warren when he won the first of the 2012 pegged club matches at the Stanford le Hope fishery.

Howard fished pole at around 12 metres from peg 19 to land a record of 112lb 8oz. The haul was all bream with the exception of a 2lb eel.

The matchman started catching early in the competition and caught steadily throughout.

Kevin Nash took second place with a bag of tench weighing 41lb 2oz from peg one.

He lost several big tench and also cracked his pole while attempting to land one of the fish.

Mark Henry used the pole up to 13 metres from peg six to claim third place with a mixed bag of quality roach and skimmer bream.

Henry had a tough time keeping the pole steady in the gusting side wind.

Only nine anglers turned out for the match at the Wharf Road fishery but despite the recent cold rain entering the water and a strong wind, all the competitors caught fish.

The Warren club matches are open to the lake’s members and non-members, with entry costing £15, which includes a day ticket and golden peg.

Points are allocated to each angler, with the top three anglers with the most points at the end of the year awarded trophies.

The remaining match dates for this year are: Sunday, May 13; Sunday, June 10; Sunday, July 22, Sunday, September 16; and Sunday, October 7. Call Gary Shaves on 01375 671126 to book a place and places are limited to 25 anglers per match.

Bollies and cat meat are banned on the match lake and anglers can only use barbless hooks. More information is available at www.thewarrenfishery.co.uk.

Micky Noakes’ walk-off matches continue at the Warren this Sunday. Contact Micky on 07855 558693 for details.