SEVENTY-THREE-year-old Ted Norris romped to victory during the South Coast Tackle Open.

Almost 60 competitors sampled the action during a bitterly cold day along the shoreline at Hill Head but the retired engineer, a member of the Shirley club, tempted a 3lb 10oz bass along with a flounder, together weighing 4lb 7.5oz, to collect the £114 top prize.

Fishing to the right of the shanty town section, Norris, pictured above with his bass, used ragworm presented on a size 1 hook.

Mike Porter from Winchester was also all smiles when a 4lb bass snapped up his ragworm bait. Not only did he collected £85 for finishing second but he also picked up another £57 in pools for the heaviest fish.

In third position was Dave Edwards from Fareham with a trio of flounders weighing 2lb 13oz to nudge out Tim Vernon, who also had three flatties for 2lb 12oz. Tony O'Grady was just a couple of ounces further adrift.

Christchurch Bay has seen the downfall of a brace of excellent cod, both caught by small-boat anglers fishing from their own craft after launching from Mudeford.

Nigel Fitzgerald was the first to strike, heaving a 26-pounder over the gunnels of his own boat, Shalin, after it had snapped up a whole squid mounted on a pennel rig.

Not content with his first cod, Fitzgerald went on to use the same tactics to tempt yet another tasty specimen.

Fraser Stambridge-Smith was the next to strike lucky when he steered his boat, Aquafresh, to a mark just off the ledge where a 25lb 8oz struck. Again squid did the damage.

The Allan's Marine Midweek Evening Super League, which proved extremely popular over a decade ago, is to rise from the ashes with a new 12-match open pegged series, starting on January 20 at Hayling Island (fishing 8pm to midnight). The series will be fished to the traditional weight system, using standard size limits. There will be a 100 per cent payout of all entry money, with cash prizes going to the three top bags in each match and cash prizes for the three heaviest fish in each match.

There will be a £10 joining fee, plus a match fee of £10. All matches are strictly pre-book - full details from Allans Marine (023 9267 1833).

Flounders look set to supply lively action during the 29th Ford Sports and Social SAC charity open at Weston Shore on January 25, sponsored by the Ford branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union. Fishing times for the huge event, which has a £500 top prize, are 10am to 3pm. Tickets cost £8 plus pools. Juniors pay £3. All proceeds from the event will go to children's charities. Let's see a bumper turnout to help the youngsters.