PEWSEY Avon Angling's run of Hants, Wilts & Dorset Winter League triumphs, which has stretched for nearly a decade, looks certain to come to an end.

They finished a disappointing fifth on the Todber Manor Complex at Gillingham and the result looks certain to cost them any hope of retaining their title while their chances of even qualifying for the final as runners-up seem remote.

All-conquering Eastleigh, match group winners of The Reelcare and The Marshall Rolfe Team Toyota Clubman Cup, put in another superb performance on the day to win on a venue they had never fished. They finished level on points with home side Todber on 68 but got the verdict on a weight advantage.

Andover produced a much-improved result to finish third with 63.5 points with Dorset Raiders fourth on 62 and Pewsey Avon Angling back in fifth with 60.5.

Others: Pewsey & District 57.5, TVAC 57, Christchurch 38, Ringwood 37, Downton 26.

At the halfway stage, Eastleigh top the table with five penalty points from nearest rivals Todber on seven and the league looks to be between the two.

Others: Pewsey Avon Angling 11, Dorset Raiders and Pewsey & District 13, Andover 20.

Individually, Poingdestres-sponsored angler Pete Newman, fishing for Pewsey Avon Angling, proved a comfortable winner with 70lb 7oz of carp to 6lb on waggler and maggot from the Carp lake at Todber.

Dorset Raiders' Nick King finished second for the third time in a row in the winter league rounds when taking 61lb 5oz of carp to the scales from the next peg to the winner.

Todber's Richie Chave finished third with 41lb 15oz of tench and skimmers from the silver fish lake with Steve Hunt (Eastleigh) fourth with 35lb.

Others: B Dukes (Todber) 27lb 15oz, S Dabs (Andover) 27lb 5oz. Sections winners: A G Tappenden (Eastleigh 25lb 8oz, B B Dukes (Todber) 27lb 15oz, C A Hillman (TVAC( 20lb 2oz, D P Newman (Pewsey AA) 70lb 7oz, E G Blunt (Andover) 23lb 8oz, F J Heaven (Pewsey AD) 11lb 4oz, G S Dabs (Andover) 27lb 4oz, H D Higgins (Eastleigh) 23lb 1oz, J R Chave (Todber) 41lb 15oz, K L Thirlaway (Andover) 13lb 4oz.

A perfect score of three section wins in a row sees Eastleigh's globe-trotting all-rounder, Dave Higgins, in front in the individual title race. The fourth round takes place on the Lower Stour a week on Sunday - but will be switched to the Kennet and Avon Canal if there is danger of flooding.

l Hansfords Match Group look home and dry in The Avon Valley Winter League after another superb performance - this time on the Basingstoke Canal between double bridge and the Fox and Hounds.

Hansfords included three section winners in their points total of 67 with Godalming back in second (61) and Alans Marine third (58).

Others: Starfix Farnbourough 56, Portsmouth & District 49, Farnham AS 47.

With four matches now fished, Hansfords top the league with three victories and a second place, giving them just five penalty points - and it now looks all over.

Starfix Farnborough, on 11 points, and Alans Marine, on 12, are the nearest challengers.