THATCHERS cruised to victor in the fifth round of the Hants, Wilts and Dorset Winter League on The Kennet and Avon Canal at Pewsey and look certain to retain their title with the final leg at the same venue on Sunday, January 9.

Thatcher's only recorded two section winners but an excellent overall performance saw them win comfortably with 51 section points from Todber Manor, who recorded five section wins in their return of 46 points.

Dorset Raiders finished third with 37 points.

Others: Eastleigh Mosella 35, TVAC 25, Andover 16.

League to date: Thatchers 10 penalty points, Eastleigh 14, Todber 16, TVAC and Dorset Raiders 18, Andover 29.

Individually Eastleigh Mosella's Steve Hunt took 12lb 5oz of big skimmers from Milkhouse on pole and pinkie over ground bait to get the better of Dave George on the next peg who weighed in 10lb 14oz.

In the final round of the Avon Valley's Winter League on The Basingstoke Canal between Ash Lock and Reading Road, league leaders Starfix Farnborough came a cropper finishing in fifth spot.

But they maintained their lead to regain the title and go forward to The National semi-finals at Tunnell Barn Fishery. Runners-up Hansfords Travel to the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes for their semi-final.

Points on the day: Godalming and Hansfords 70, Farnham 66, Allans Marine 56, Starfix Farnborough 51, Farnham Juniors 48.

Final League: Starfix Farnborough 14 penalty points, Hansfords 17, Farnham 24, Allans Marine 26, Godalming 28, Farnham Juniors 30.

Individually Simon Hunter (Farnham) took a 5lb tench, two good perch plus roach for 8lb 12oz on chopped worm and caster to win from Warren Peaty (Farnham) who took three big perch and roach on chopped worm. Dave Green (Starfix Farnborough) was third with 7lb 10oz.

Others: R Hills (Farnham) 7lb 2oz, S Tubbs (Hansfords) 6lb 5oz, B Kennard (Hansfords) 6lb 1oz.

Section winners - A: D Green (Starfix) 7lb 10oz. B: B Kennard (Hansfords) 6lb 1oz. C: W Peaty (Farnham) 7lb 15oz. D: R Hills (Farnham) 7lb 2oz. E: L Sherriff (Godalming) 4lb 5oz. F: R Howell (Godalming) 4lb 1oz. G: S Pomery (Hansfords) 7lb. H: I Snook (Allans Marine) 5lb 6oz. J: S Hunter (Farnham) 8lb 12oz. K: S Tubbs (Hansfords) 6lb 5oz.

The latest round of The Witherington Teams of Four saw Carbotech win on the day with 37 points from Eastleigh Mosella's Old Boys on 35.5 points.

With four rounds to go Eastleigh Mosella lead with 124.5 from Withies select with 122 and Cormorants with 114.

Mark Blake (Carbotech) took 61lb 15oz of carp from the Inner Circuit of Topmoor on pole and corn to win from Barneys Black's Paul Barnard with 52lb 10oz of carp to 10lb from Sellwood on pole and corn. Nicky Collins (Whackies Bait) was third with 50lb 2oz from Sellwood on waggler and maggot with John Gray (Withies Select) fourth with 44lb 8oz of carp from Cottage.

Cormorants annual river match on the River Test saw chub dominate. Rick Kajko took eight of them for 29lb 6oz on the bread and float tactics to win from Garry Wright who caught 20lb 6oz of chub and grayling.

Others: S Hambidge (Dynamite Baits) 15lb 2oz, K Podsadowski 11lb 2oz, N Tappin 9lb 2oz.

Greenridge Farm Open victory went to Dave Beaumont from Winchester who took 42lb 9oz of carp to 4lb on the pole and maggot on the far bank on peg 13 Canal 2 to win from Andy Potter who took 26lb 12oz from peg 15 on Canal 2. Colin Stark was third from peg 12 with 23lb.

Others: D Seede 22lb 2oz, M Kenney 20lb 4oz.

The Kennet Ospreys fixture on Longbridge saw victory go to Pete Howells who took 23lb 6oz consisting of one carp, bream and skimmers on maggot and caster on the waggler from peg 21 to win from Richie Barford who took 18lb 8oz of skimmers and bream from peg 14 on maggot and caster and waggler tactics.

Steve Allen was third with a mixed bag for 18lb 6oz from the ditch. Dale Elliot finished fourth with a 12lb 11oz mixed bag from peg 41 on the canal.