A STUNNING performance by Stanford le Hope matchman John Musson saw him demolish the opposition at the Ridley Angling Products Gloucester Park Open, finishing more than 80lb clear of the field.

Having won the previous match at the venue with a 55lb-carp haul he really went to town at Sunday’s event, landing 16 carp for 123lb!

Musson fished the eastern end of the cockle bank where quivertip tactics and sweetcorn baits saw him take his first carp within half an hour of the start.

This second fish followed soon after, and from then on accurate casting saw him catching carp steadily for the rest of the match.

Second place went to Mick Noakes junior with 40lbs 3oz.

Noakes also fished the cockle bank where he used a quivertip to present sweetcorn baits tight to the island. His match started well when a tremendous bite on his first cast produced a decent chub.

A bream quickly followed, with Noakes adding six carp at intervals throughout the event.

Third-place man Alan Halsey fished the centre section of the cockle bank where he netted a tremendous 36lb 7oz haul of bream, roach and chub.

Halsey started the event fishing a quivertip towards the island while feeding a 14-metre pole line.

After taking the chub and a couple of bream on the quivertip Halsey switched to the pole line which produced a procession of roach and bream.

Despite the increasing wind Halsey managed to fish the pole for the rest of the event, although he lost two good bream when especially strong gusts of wind caused him to bump the fish.

The next Ridley Angling Products Gloucester Park Open will take place on Sunday, February 8.

Entry will cost £15, consisting of the £5 day ticket, the £1 Golden Peg fee, and £9 cash pool. For the more adventurous there will also be an optional £5 super pool.

Currently the Golden Peg pool, subject to a minimum of 14 anglers stands at £130.

Pike, zander and barbel will not be weighed in, with bloodworm and joker both barred. Meet at the western end of the lake at 7am for a 7.30am walk-off. Fishing time will be 8.30am till 2.30pm.

For more information ring Mick Toomer on 01268 282317.